Winter is officially here, and it's a busy time for area chiropractors.  They're seeing more patients due to the combination of cold weather, winter storms and Christmas.

Chiropractors say more people complain of back and neck pain this time of year after shoveling, cleaning off cars, dealing with holiday stress and just basically putting a lot more strain on our bodies.

Doctor Ron Boesch with Palmer Chiropractic Clinics says, "When you do have those sprains and strains, that's what we deal with on a day-to-day basis."

Boesch says one reason for the increase in business is the cold.  "People walk around, they've got more clothes on, they're kind of hunched up a little bit - trying to stay warm.  They're shivering - so those muscles are working overtime."

Another reason is stress.  "The tension that's going on that causes your neck to draw up your shoulders."  He says even holiday shopping can cause problems, "I was at the mall last night and I saw people hauling boxes and bags everywhere."

But doctors tend to see the most patients after snow and ice storms, when they're straining their backs shoveling driveways and sidewalks. 

With another storm on the way, chiropractors have some advice.  Warm up, drink some water, and when you're ready to grab the shovel - push the snow.  If you have to pick it up, lift with your legs by squatting down, keeping your head up and arching your back.  Boesch says, "10 pounds of weight in my hands when I'm bending forward about 10 degrees is about 100 pounds of pressure across my lower back - so the key is to keep your low back in a slightly arched position."

And whatever you do, don't twist your body.  "That's terrible.  Any time you're putting rotation and lifting at the same time - you're putting shearing forces into the spine."

The bottom line: don't make your muscles work any harder than they have to.  Boesch recommends investing in a new, ergonomic shovel that puts less strain on your lower back and using some kind of ice melter, instead of chipping away at the ice, which can be really hard on your neck and upper back.