After a relatively mild winter, Northwest Indiana has been hammered by back-to-back snowstorms and heaps of lake-effect snow. Many of us have been doing what we shouldn’t do.
Shoveling snow can put a great deal of stress on the heart in addition to causing shoulder, knee, and back injuries. Even if you carefully lift with your knees, you can still strain your knees. Your shoulders are also at risk, especially if you lift and toss a shovel full of heavy snow. Your back can easily become injured by the twisting, bending, lifting, and tossing. Ice and sleet have also added to the risk of trips and falls.
What you should do and what you should NOT do to reduce the pain if you hurt yourself while shoveling or falling in this wintery mess
For minor muscle strains start by icing the affected area which helps to reduce swelling and pain. After 2 to 3 days of icing, transition to heat to help with healing. Warm water (bath or shower) can help to relieve the pain of muscle strains as well.
Over-the-counter pain medication may also be an option to address mild pain. Only take pain medication that you already know is safe for you to use. Be sure to follow labeling directions carefully to reduce the risk of taking more than the recommended dosage. It is harmful to continue with a steady or increasing dosage of over-the-counter pain medication. It is even more dangerous to escalate to prescription strength pain medication. And never take pain medication that was prescribed for someone else.
If you only have a mild muscle strain, the pain should continue to improve and go away within a few days. However, if your pain does not improve in a few days, or gets worse, you should immediately have your injury evaluated by your family doctor or an interventional spine and pain specialist. It is important to realize that a minor strain will continue to improve. Any pain that gets worse, or spreads to other areas, can be a sign that your injury needs prompt medical attention.
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Midwest Interventional Spine Specialists (M.I.S.S.) is a leader in introducing the most advanced techniques and state-of-the-art technology for the treatment and management of chronic pain. For 20 years, M.I.S.S. has been dedicated to serving the Northwest Indiana community with the most progressive and minimally invasive treatments for pain. All M.I.S.S. physicians are Board Certified Specialists. M.I.S.S. serves patients throughout Northwest Indiana and neighboring Illinois. To Schedule an Appointment – Call (219) 836-7246. Please review our website disclaimer.
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