Last updated 27/12/2023 by The pain clinics - Interdisciplinary Health

Snowmaking in the USA - Photo Wikimedia

Pain in the back after snowmobiling? Think back along the way.

Are you one of those who grabs the snow gull in good courage, but often ends up hurt in the back after the snow gull? Here are some tips and tricks to avoid the problem.

In many ways, snowmobiling becomes a form of exercise. If you think of it as a workout, would you really take 100+ reps without a break? Most likely not. Especially not if it is the first time you use the 'exercise machine' in a long time.

The image above is an example of how you can get back pain when snowmobiling. The person closest to the image has a reverse curve in the lumbar spine and thus receives strain in the wrong areas of the spine, especially the lower discs and structures.

Causes of back pain during snowmobiling

• 'Buckling' - This is actually an English term for mathematical instability that will lead to failure, but the word has become more and more common in gyms as well. It is based on its original meaning and simply indicates that poor ergonomic performance will lead to failure and ultimately total failure of the involved muscles and joints. A good (read: bad) example of this is poorly done snowmobiling where the person loses the natural curve of the lower back, as well as neutral spine / abdominal brace, in the execution and then receives an overload aimed at the lower back muscle, joints and maybe even the disc.
• Too much, too soon - Perhaps the most common cause of load-related injuries. We will all do as much as possible in the shortest possible time. Unfortunately, it is the case that the muscles, joints and tendons do not always keep up with the turns, and that we thus develop stress injuries such as muscle tears, tendonitis and joint dysfunctions. Try taking breaks in snow removal if this is the first time you are performing snow removal in a long, long time.

Back pain due to snow removal - Photo WIkimedia

Tips on how to avoid back pain when snow removal

• Dress well. Cold muscles are easier to contract and go into a kind of 'spasm state'.
• Warm up. Slip your arms a little and catch your breath a little before you start.
• Do not stress. Think through each movement. Make sure you use your back properly
• Practice the neutral spine / abdominal brace principle - This technique will help you to avoid damage during larger lifts and the like. This is accomplished by having the back in the correct curve (light lumbar lordosis) while tightening the abdominal muscles, thus protecting the intervertebral discs in the back and distributing the load on the core muscles.

And if there is anyone we should take the word about proper snowmaking, then it's the chiropractors. Annually, chiropractors see many with back pain due to the snow load from the bug. The Norwegian Chiropractor Association (NKF) has created the following poster to focus on the things you should avoidto - and how you should do it instead:

Go straight - avoid back pain - Photo NKF

Good luck with the snowmobiling this winter!

Or….

Tired gossip? Click HERE to check out some state-of-the-art snowmobiles.