Colder months provoke stiffer bodies
As the cold weather sets in, we at the Blackberry Clinic often see an increase in the number of people complaining of stiffness. Body function is affected by temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, and exposure to sunshine. Often, the aches or pains relating to pre-existing conditions, can be exacerbated due to these factors.
Studies have found that certain conditions have a negative relationship with the cold. A recent study, with a healthy control group, found:
– Rheumatoid arthritis: found to deteriorate in cold, humid atmospheres with high pressure.
– Osteoarthritis: worsened in humid, cold weather.
– Fibromyalgia: became more painful in cold, high-pressure atmospheres.
– Healthy control group: experienced no increased discomfort.
Lifestyle changes associated with the cold also play a role. Typically, we move less in the cold. The tendency to stay indoors when it’s cold and rainy outside promotes a more inactive lifestyle, thus promoting stiff and painful joints. Furthermore, when our bodies start to get cold, the first thing we do is hike up our shoulders, round our back and bury our chin. Having a rounded back and shoulders, along with a protruded chin places a lot of stress on the upper back and shoulders. Muscles like the trapezius, levator scapula, sternocleidomastoid, and rhomboids will be encouraged to shorten and stiffen by this.
Why is this?
Tendons, muscles, and scar tissue expands and contracts with the changes in Barometric Pressure, this can create pain in joints that are affected by arthritis. lower temperatures can change the thickness of joint fluid by increasing the fluid thickness, so joints feel stiffer.
Our nervous system activates changes within our bodies when it gets colder to help regulate body temperature. Vasoconstriction occurs, where muscles tighten to constrict blood vessels throughout the body. Less heat reaches the surface of our bodies and in turn our core temperature can remain steady for our vital organs (Homeostasis). The temperature affects how easily oxygen is released from haemoglobin to the muscle. In colder weather, the rate that oxygen is released is slower, leaving less oxygen available for the muscle. Thus, muscle contraction becomes more difficult.
Tips to prevent cold weather pains this winter:
– Keep Moving: Daily exercises at fitness centre or at home for 30-45 minute. Include strength training, cardio and flexibility exercises to keep those cold weather aches away.
(Stretching promotes efficient blood circulation. The circulating blood provides oxygenated rich blood and nutrients to the muscle for proper function. Exercise increases this oxygen intake).
– Stay Hydrated: With cold weather, sometimes our water consumption decreases. Water helps keep your system balanced, your joints lubricated and your system flowing. It helps in removal of wastes and helps your body run smoothly.
– Stay Warm: When temperatures drop, try to keep yourself warm. Take warm showers or baths, dress in layers during the day (including gloves and warm socks), use an electric blanket at night, or crank up the heat inside your home.
– Take it easy: Don’t strain your joints if you don’t have to. Let someone else lift those heavy boxes.
– Vitamin D supplement: In the winter months, we get less than necessary sunlight and we are more susceptible to being Vitamin D deficient. Vitamin D deficiency can be the reason of muscle, bone and joint pain. Check with your Primary care physician.
– Take care of your health in general, like with good nutrition and getting enough sleep.
– Last Resort: Ask your doctor about pain medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
At Blackberry Clinic we specialise in back, joint and muscle pain so book into your nearest Blackberry Clinic for treatment for those winter aches and pains. We offer physio in Milton Keynes, Oxford, Guildford, Brighton, Croydon, Lichfield and Fareham and osteopathy and chiropractic in Milton Keynes.
