Snow happens. Injuries don’t have to.

Winter has made itself very comfortable on the South Shore, and with it has come heavy snow, icy walkways and a growing collection of downed tree limbs. What follows, almost every year without fail, is a wave of injuries tied to snow shoveling and winter cleanup.

In other words, yes, everyone gets injured shoveling.

Back strains, sore shoulders and angry wrists tend to show up quickly once the snow starts piling up. Snow shoveling asks a lot of the body, especially when the snow is heavy, the driveway is long and the job feels urgent. Twisting while lifting, rushing to beat the next storm or deciding to “just finish it” often leads to pain that lingers well past the melt.

Then there’s ice. Even careful walkers can lose their footing, and instinct takes over. Hands shoot out, wrists absorb the impact and suddenly a quick errand turns into weeks of recovery. These slips happen fast, usually during everyday moments when people least expect it.

Physical therapists say winter injury prevention comes down to a simple idea: slow down. Snow removal is hard, physical work. Taking breaks, switching sides and avoiding awkward twisting can help limit strain. Wearing footwear with traction and dealing with ice before it deals with you can also reduce the chances of a bad fall.

Cold weather adds another layer of challenge. Muscles tighten, reaction times slow and the body is less forgiving of sudden movements. Treating winter chores like the workout they are can help keep injuries from becoming part of the season.

And if you’re reading this thinking, “Too late, I already slipped,” you’re not alone. Winter injuries happen even when people are careful, and they are one of the most common reasons patients seek care this time of year.

Physical therapy can play an important role in recovery after snow-related injuries. Treatment often focuses on reducing pain, restoring movement and rebuilding strength so everyday activities feel manageable again. For strains and overuse injuries, therapy can help address movement patterns that may have contributed to the problem in the first place. After a fall, targeted care can support healing and improve stability to reduce the risk of future slips.

For residents dealing with wrist or hand pain after a fall, specialized hand therapy is available locally at our Hanover location. Addressing these injuries early can help prevent stiffness, weakness or lingering discomfort that interferes with things like typing for work, laundry (it never ends) or actual winter fun like hitting the slopes.

The snow may not be done with us on the South Shore just yet, but that doesn’t mean injuries have to be part of the forecast. A little patience, a little caution and the right support when something does go wrong can help residents get through winter upright and moving well.

About Elliott Physical Therapy 

Family-owned and operated by Darryl and Patti Elliott since 2014, Elliott Physical Therapy is an outpatient orthopedic physical therapy company with nine locations in Massachusetts, including Hanover and Hingham. Focused on discovering and treating the underlying causes of injury and pain, expert clinicians at Elliott Physical Therapy use proven hands-on therapy and personalized home exercise programs to relieve your pain and improve your function. Learn more about Elliott Physical Therapy here. Appointments can be scheduled online here.