Winter Weather and Joint Pain

Not only does winter weather increase the risk of slip and falls or snow shoveling injuries, but the frigid temperatures can have a significant effect on your joints as well. Winter injuries, such as slip and falls on the ice or a back injury from shoveling the snow can lead to bruising and soft tissue damage as well as a spinal misalignment, all of which can also lead to extensive joint pain. Regardless of the cause for the pain in your joints, the pain you experience will typically worsen in cold weather. If you experience joint pain during the winter, along with visiting your chiropractor in Solon, the following tips will help to reduce or eliminate your pain.

Keep Moving

Although it’s common to think that reduced movement will help reduce pain, it can actually increase your joint pain and stiffness. Staying active will help to keep your muscles strong and your joints flexible, which will ultimately help to reduce the pain in your joints. It’s often beneficial to talk with a chiropractor for recommendations of mild exercises that can be done indoors when the weather is too bad to go outdoors.

Limit Time Outside

Sometimes it’s difficult to avoid going outside in the cold, but it’s important to limit your time outdoors. Although slip and falls do occur as a result of the snow and ice, they also happen as a result of joint pain, so to avoid snow shoveling injuries and falling, try to limit outside activities to short increments of time. If you begin to feel exhausted while outdoors, stop whatever you’re doing and go inside to warm up for a bit before going back outside.

One of the most common causes of back injuries is overuse or repetition. When working outdoors, not only is it important to dress in warm layers, but it’s also important to take frequent breaks to give your joints a break.

To learn more information about how to reduce your joint pain, contact your chiropractor at Reed Chiropractic Clinic in Solon.