A Hurtful Winter Keeps Chiropractors Busy

Our bodies have been under a lot of stress this winter.

Chiropractors, who are used to treating such snow-related injuries as lower back pain or neck strain from shoveling snow, say this winter is different.  Severe snow and ice storms have caused a wider variety of injuries, including whiplash, rib pain and shoulder strain.

“This winter, we’ve seen more rib and back injuries due to roof raking,” explained Dr. Moshe Laub of . “People lift up the rake, they aren’t balanced, and they bend their back backwards and lock their backs. The only area doing rotation is the T-11 and Rib-11, which doesn’t usually do rotation, and this can cause lots of pain.”

Patients have come to him who have “thrown their ribs out” while roof raking and have difficulty breathing, said Laub.

Dr. Andrew Hawley, of Porzio-Hawley Chiropractic and Nutrition Center in Southington, agreed that he has seen many more shoulder and neck injuries due to roof raking. “People don’t know how to use the roof rake correctly and then they spend four to six hours out there,” said Hawley, who explained that this then leads to sprains from rotator cuff injuries and often some tingling and numbness in the hands.

Laub has treated patients who have fallen off their roofs and sustained sprains to the neck, lower and upper back. He’s also seen lots of ice injuries. He’s had 10 patients who slipped or fell on ice and have fractured hips, wrists and arms.

Dr. Michael Koster, of  Koster Family Chiropractic  in Riverdale Farms in Avon, agreed that slipping on ice has been a huge problem this winter.

“I’ve seen people injured by slipping on ice just out walking the dog or getting the mail,” he said, adding that this has resulted in lower back injuries.

“There are such a barrage of injuries this winter besides the usual shoulder and lower back injuries,” Koster said. He has treated several more patients — mostly teens and some adults -- who have been injured skiing and snowboarding. They’ve suffered whiplash injuries from falling on their faces and slamming the backs of their heads, and have hurt their tailbones.

Hawley noted that several of his patients have been in car accidents due to unsafe roads or blocked views from tall snowbanks.

Koster said that as a chiropractor, he conducts comprehensive exams, sends patients for x-rays and then “we adjust them so their bodies can heal themselves.”

Laub said that it’s time to see a chiropractor if you have acute or chronic pain because of a recent injury or a chronic condition, for rehabilitation, or to achieve wellness.

The chiropractors all noted that patients who see them regularly have muscles in good shape, which helps keep them from getting injured.

“If you come to see us regularly,” said Hawley, “all of the muscles are working as well as can be.”