While the appearance of a winter wonderland in your yard can be a welcome one, an accompanying aspect is not: the idea of clearing your driveway and sidewalks.
The sometimes-daunting task of snow shoveling is a repetitive activity that can cause muscle strain to the lower back and shoulders. However, by following the tips below, you will spend more time appreciating your winter wonderland -- when your sidewalk and driveway are all clear, that is.
But, we all know that injuries happen, and if you do find yourself with back pain that does not resolve in a few days, contact your primary healthcare provider, or visit a Renown Urgent Care.
Another way to avoid injury during strenuous activity, or help heal an injury that won't go away, is to work with a physical therapist who can offer at-home exercises to keep your body strong.
Lift smaller loads of snow, rather than heavy shovelfuls. Be sure to bend your knees and lift with your legs, rather than your back.
Use a shovel with a shaft that lets you keep your back straight while lifting. A short shaft will cause you to bend more to lift the load. Using a shovel that’s too long makes the weight at the end heavier. Step in the direction where you are throwing the snow to prevent the low back from twisting to help prevent “next-day back fatigue.”
Avoid excessive twisting because the spine cannot tolerate this motion. Bend your knees and keep your back as straight as possible so that you are lifting with your legs.
Take frequent breaks when shoveling. Stand up straight and walk around periodically to extend the lower back.
Backward bending exercises while standing will help reverse the excessive forward bending of shoveling. Stand straight and tall, place your hands toward the back of your hips and bend slightly backward for several seconds.
When in doubt, ask for help. The Reno community is a generous one and you can typically find snow shovelers for hire on local message boards like Nextdoor and Facebook. Or, if you have a kid in your neighborhood, they might be looking to make some extra money on a snow day.
Caring for Rural Communities, One Patient at a Time: Q&A With a Senior Medical Assistant
For patients in Fallon, Silver Springs and the surrounding rural northern Nevada communities, access to quality healthcare is a top priority. Some drive over two hours just to see a primary care provider or walk into an urgent care clinic. Practice Site Leader Erin (formerly a Sr. Medical Assistant for Renown Medical Group – Fernley) is one of the dedicated team members ensuring those patients feel seen, heard and cared for the moment they walk through the door.
What started as an externship close to home has grown into a fulfilling career marked by mentorship, professional growth and a deep passion for patient care. We sat down with Erin to learn more about her journey.
Summertime welcomes a wide variety of outdoor activities to enjoy, including swimming, hiking, exercising and more. However, did you know that urinary tract infections (UTIs) are more prevalent during the summer months—especially among women—due to several factors, including temperature, dehydration, prolonged exposure to wet clothing and an increased risk of bacteria spreading to sensitive areas?
As this season beckons more time in the great outdoors for all ages, the risk of bug bites from simply being outside more often also increases. “While many bug bites cause nothing more than an annoying itch or bump, in some cases, they can pose more serious health risks if not treated promptly,” says Dr. Russell Stodtmeister, a family medicine physician with Renown Health.
