The British Chiropractic Association is advising anyone who slips and falls in the snow to curl up and attempt to go into a roll to help minimise injuries.

Hospitals in the UK are reporting an increase in fractures and cuts from people falling on icy pavements. Chiropractor Tim Hutchful told the Daily Mail that cushioning the impact of a fall by curling up and rolling, while trying to remain relaxed, might help avoid serious injury.

'This will minimise any jarring to your body. While it may be an automatic reaction, try to avoid putting your hands out to save you – this may cause wrist injuries,’ he advised.

The association is also advising people to keep two pairs of shoes to hand while the weather is snowy, with the soles of waterproof outdoor shoes usually providing more grip. Those wishing to remain upright on icy pavements should avoid wearing leather soled shoes – and should also opt for footwear with firm ankle support. Any sharp items should also be removed from pockets in case they cause injury during a fall.

The John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford and Horton General Hospital in Banbury, Oxfordshire, have both reported sharp rises in slip, trip and fall accidents, with people aged in their 50s reportedly coming under heavy fire from icy pavements.

The Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading is also seeing injuries from toboggan and other snow sports accidents, as well as slip, trip and fall injuries among pedestrians. A spokesman said that nearly one-quarter of the 288 patients admitted to A&E last week had suffered some sort of injury from falling in snow.

'Lots of them have suffered really nasty fractures. We've seen people of all ages, from children to pensioners. No one has been immune to it.'

The hospital’s orthopaedic department has cleared its appointments diary to concentrate on treating those who require urgent surgery after a fall in the snow.

The British Chiropractic Association is also warning people to wear loose clothing so that they are not restricted if they fall – and to avoid wearing Wellington boots on ice and snow, as they do not give sufficient support to ankles and can also be difficult to remove in the event of an accident.

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