4 Tips for Managing Winter Joint Pain

Arthritis and joint pain are no fun, and many sufferers feel that their pain becomes especially bad in the winter months and during inclement weather. Sound familiar?

Though doctors are unsure whether cold weather actually has a direct effect on joint pain, we won’t argue with our patients’ experiences. At PMR, our goal is to help you find lasting relief—so with that in mind, here are a few essential tips for keeping pain under control, even when it’s freezing out.

1. Keep Yourself As Warm As Possible

It may sound obvious, but one of the most effective ways to avoid the aches, pains, and other symptoms of wintertime blues is to shield yourself from cold weather as much as possible. Everything from wearing proper layers to taking care to ensure your heating systems work properly—before it gets cold—can play a role. If possible, you might even consider spending some of the winter months in a warmer climate. After all, it’s not just about comfort—it’s a health concern, too.

2. Stay Healthy

Pain from arthritis and other conditions is strongly tied to all aspects of your physical health. We all know that it’s more difficult to stay healthy in the winter months—no one wants to go for a jog in the biting cold, under feet of snow, or across sidewalks slick with a layer of ice—but look for workarounds as much as you possibly can. You can still exercise in the winter, either in your own home or at a gym. Eating a healthy, balanced diet and staying hydrated can also go a long way toward improving your overall health.

3. Cut Pounds to Cut Pressure

If you’ve been living with arthritis pain for a while, you’ve likely heard of the study that shows each pound of weight lost takes four pounds of pressure off of the knees. At PMR, we know that winter is an especially difficult time to lose weight. The holidays make sweets and indulgence almost impossible to avoid, and physical activity tends to go down with the temperature.

But our specialists, including registered dietitians and nutritionists, can help you develop an effective plan to cut down on any extra weight that’s adding pain and pressure to your joints. Even if you don’t manage to develop a plan before this winter’s over, your joints will thank you next year when the snow begins to fall.

4. Visit A Specialist

Many of our specialists at PMR can help to reduce and alleviate your joint pain, both during the winter and in the long term. Our chiropractors, acupuncturists, and massage therapists in particular can help to ease joint pain and correct imbalances that may aggravate conditions such as arthritis. Our registered dietitians, nutritionists, and physical therapists can also help you to develop healthy plans for eating, exercise, and overall movement.

For more information on living with joint pain and staying healthy, happy, and pain-free all year long, give us a call at PMR today!