Like many of you, I haven’t seen a storm like this since the 1990’s. Moving out 18 inch or more snow that came down when the weather was at 30 degrees means that the snow will be heavy. Snowblowers hate this because the snow compresses and blocks the chute that pushes it out. Tips to reduce make sure your snowblower works well in any storm. Patients of mine who work and need to clear snow professionally have told me that spraying pam cooking spray in the chute reduces friction and jams. I can attest that this works. Always start the snowblower before the season and make sure you run all the fuel out at the end of the season or siphon out what is left in the tank. A siphon is inexpensive and can save you large repair bills from clogged fuel lines. Make sure that your sheer bolts are ok after your last storm. To do this, go to the front of the machine and see if the auger, which pulls the snow in is not moving. If it spins, it means you need to replace a shear bolt. Make sure you have some handy just in case. Be sure to have fuel available that is high octane. Also, be sure to add fuel stabilizer to it so the gas lasts at least a year in storage. Tips on shoveling heavy snow. Snow in cold weather is powdery and light. It is easy to move with a shovel and snowblowers love it. Snow that falls when it is about 30 degrees or more is heavier and should be removed cautiously. A shovel full of this can be 4-5x as heavy as a light and cold snow so take smaller bites with the shovel. Also, consider that the weight is amplified by the length of the shovels stem and handle. Some ergonomic shovels are bent to reduce the length and improve the ergonomics of the shovel. These are preferable. Electric snow shovels are insufficient with large snow fall and as a video from one of my band members using one showed me, using a well designed shovel is much more efficient. Your gear should help you get the job done with less work. Get out during a break in the storm and if possible, move the snow out of your walkways and driveways before the weather warms and makes it more difficult to move. Once it ices down, it is more dangerous and difficult to move. If you are tight or sore, shovel with caution and foam roll before you shovel to reduce the likelihood of injury. What to do when you are sore after shoveling. Foam roll generally. Perform bridges Gluteal kicks and lateral leg raises. Planks Check out these exercises and more on our exercises section on our website. Still sore? See the chiropractor asap. Often people wait two to three weeks to see if the soreness went away. By then, your body may have developed tightness and compensations that were preventable. Need help now? Book online or call today.