Living the "Saskatchewan Deep Freeze"
If you live in Saskatoon, you know the drill. The snow piles up, the temperature drops to -30°C, and suddenly, your daily routine involves heavy lifting (shoveling) and a high-stakes balancing act (walking on ice).
While we can’t change the weather, we can change how your body handles it. At E3 Chiropractic + Wellness, we see a significant spike in lower back and neck injuries this time of year. Most aren't caused by one single event, but by a body that is already stiff from the cold being forced into high-demand movements.
Here is your survival guide to staying mobile and pain-free until spring.
1. The Shoveling Strategy: Hinge, Don't Twist
Shoveling snow is essentially a high-repetition weightlifting workout performed in freezing temperatures. Most people hurt their backs because they "reach and twist" with a heavy shovel-load, putting massive shear force on their lumbar discs.
- The E3 Tip: Treat shoveling like a deadlift. Keep your spine neutral, hinge at your hips, and keep the load close to your body. If you have to move the snow to the side, move your feet instead of twisting your torso.
- The Movement Pillar: Before you head out, do a 2-minute "dynamic warm-up" (like arm circles and bodyweight squats) to get blood flowing to your muscles. Cold muscles are brittle muscles!
2. The "Slip and Fall" Jar: Why You Shouldn't Just "Wait it Out"
Even if you don't fall all the way to the ground, that "near-slip" where you catch yourself causes a massive, sudden contraction of your muscles. This "jarring" effect can misalign the pelvis or create whiplash-like tension in the neck.
- The Root Cause: These sudden jolts often lead to "micro-traumas" that don't hurt immediately but show up weeks later as chronic stiffness or headaches.
- The Movement Pillar: If you’ve had a slip, a quick check-up is essential. We look at the movement of your spine to ensure that a small jar today doesn't become a major restriction tomorrow.
3. Fighting the "Winter Hunch"
When we’re cold, our natural instinct is to shrug our shoulders toward our ears and hunch forward to stay warm. Doing this for the 10-minute walk from the parking lot every day adds up to significant Tech Neck and upper-back tension.
- The Mindset Pillar: Be intentional. When you get inside, take three deep "belly breaths" and consciously drop your shoulders down and back. This resets your nervous system and tells your body it’s safe to relax.
How E3 Can Help You Survive the Season
Whether you’ve already tweaked your back shoveling the driveway or you’re just feeling "frozen" in your movement, we are here to help you move, feel, and perform again—even in -30°C weather.
With Dr. Kurtis, Dr. Zach and our newest team member, Dr. Layne, now in the clinic, we have more availability to get you in quickly for an assessment. We don't just treat the pain; we address the root cause of why your body isn't handling the winter stress properly.
Ready to Thaw Out Your Movement?
Don't let a winter injury sideline your 2026 goals. Let’s get your alignment checked and your movement restored.
Click HERE to book a discovery call with us today and take the first step toward a clearer, pain-free future!
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The information in this article is for educational purposes only. Always consult a professional at E3 Chiropractic + Wellness for a personalized diagnosis and treatment plan.
