Winter is well and truly here. With frost covered mornings and the sun struggling to break through the low clouds, the thermostat is certainly hovering around the single digits. And with the cold weather comes aches and pains. Doctors aren’t sure why, but cold weather tends to aggravate chronic pain conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, or back pain. So if you are feeling sore and achy, you are not alone!
Here are some tips to help keep those aches and pains at bay
Maintain an active lifestyle
We often lead very sedentary lives, and in the winter this is exacerbated. We sit at work, we sit in the car, and we sit at home in front of the telly. All of these places can be temperature controlled, and when it’s cold outside we tend to rug up and snuggle down more. Our regular activities, especially ones outside, often drop off. This can lead to more aches and pains. Regular activity can help maintain flexibility, as well as muscles and joint function. Our bodies are also better at regulating our temperature in the cold, which makes exercise in winter is actually easier for our body! So get out there and start moving and if you can maintain your regular activities, or modify them so you are doing them indoors, your body will thank you!
Proper footwear
This seems like an obvious one, but proper and warm footwear is really important in these colder and wetter months. In winter the ground is usually wet and slippery and causing more slips and falls. Wear shoes with a good tread and grip, and be careful where you walk! Also keeping your hands and feet comfortably warm keeps your body warm and improves blood circulation, which can offer much needed relief from aches and pains.
Stay Hydrated
When we are cold, we often forget to stay hydrated. This prevents our body from eliminating waste properly and can lead to feeling more stiff and achy. Also with artificial heat blasting from heaters, vents, and radiators, we tend to become very dehydrated. It is important to drink just as much water as you would in the summer months, so try swapping out cold water for hot water with some lemon, or try to set yourself a target to reach.
Visit your Chiropractor
In some cases chiropractic care may benefit aspects of some non-musculoskeletal conditions and syndromes. For example, manual therapy may help with musculoskeletal symptoms of a non-musculoskeletal condition like fibromyalgia, and in these circumstances chiropractic care could be helpful in managing the condition alongside care from other practitioners.
Removing nerve interference allows the body to be at its optimal performance. We want to help you maintain your symptoms and help to improve your quality of life. Chiropractic care is vital to the health of your spine, which means it is vital for YOUR health.
