Avoiding strain, pain while shovelling the driveway this winter

A man is seen shoveling snow on Dec. 17, 2025. (Sean McClune/CTV News Edmonton)

One doctor has some tips on reducing physical strain and bodily risk as many Edmonton homeowners add snow shovelling to their to-do list this season.

Chris Sikora, a medical officer of health with the ministry of primary and preventative health services, said he suspects cardiac events, like heart attacks, in western Canada are an increased risk as homeowners set out to shovel heavy snowfalls in the winter, but other related injuries are also common.

“If we’re out shovelling, we might be exercising some muscle groups that we might not be normally exercising through the course of our day,” he told CTV News Edmonton on Friday.

Complications, he said, can range anywhere from slips or falls on icy driveways to upper body strain or musculo-skeletal discomfort from lifting large amounts of snow over the shoulder.

“But the other risk can be associated with increased pressure on the heart and lung system and increased strain that can actually cause myocardial infarction (heart attacks),” he said.

But shovelling heavy snow can be unavoidable. Homeowners in Edmonton can receive $100 fines from the city for not clearing their sidewalks in a timely manner.

Sikora said that means residents should be preparing our bodies to go out and engage in what can be considered strenuous physical activity by stretching and opting for pushing snow rather than lifting it.

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“When we’re out there shovelling, we could hit very close to our maximum allowable heart rate very, very quickly just by doing a couple metres of our sidewalk,” he said.

Seth Waselenchuk, a physiotherapist with Optimize Physio, echoed that advice and suggested keeping the shovel as close to your body as possible in the moment to lessen the weight of the load.

“It’s less stress on those joints, less stress on those muscles, taking breaks where you need to, not trying to overdo when you’re feeling sore through that lower back,” he said.

“I think the best thing you can possibly do is be as prepared as you can. This goes for everything in life. If you have resistance training going on outside of the actual activities you have to do in your day … your body is best set up.”

Sikora said it might also be best to let somebody know if you’re going out to shovel and when you’re expected to be done.

“Also monitoring your own symptoms. Nausea, sweating, lightheadedness, shortness or breath, having that pain or discomfort in the chest are all signs that there might be a problem,” he said.

“If you’re an older age, over 45 or 50 or with underlying cardiac or lung problems, you’re at increased risk as well. Take it easy. Do things in small steps. It might take a little longer, but better to do things safely.”

And if you’re unclear whether to go to an emergency room or not, Sikora suggests giving Health Link a call at 811 to check your symptoms and next steps.