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Gardening and Back Pain - Digging and Shoveling

By , About.com Guide

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Lean In

(c) Anne Asher 2007, Licensed to About.com
Lean your weight forward onto the shovel. Let the weight of your body sink the shovel into the ground. Leveraging the dirt or snow in this way will help you avoid muscle strain associated with digging or shoveling. Notice that the model in the picture is keeping her spine in a long line.
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  8. Back Safe Shoveling - Using Your Weight When You Shovel Will Help Keep Your Back Safe

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