Shovelling has become something of a way of life in southern Manitoba, with the frequent snowfalls we've received over the last month or so.

If you're doing a lot of shovelling, Southern Health-Sante Sud's Vice-president of Medical Services Dr. Denis Fortier tells us that's causing concern for healthcare providers.

"The things that worry us most are related to the mechanics, and your back, possibly shoulders," he says, "And more seriously would be the potential to cause you to have angina, or chest pain, or something related to your heat."

Fortier isn't worried about light, fluffy snow.

"It's not going to cause any great grief," he says, "Once the snow gets more packed down, or there's more of it, then it starts getting heavy. And with that weight, you do have to be careful with the ergonomics. So you need to keep your back completely straight, and use your knees."

Fortier also recommends shovelling for short periods of time and taking breaks.