You’re not imagining things if you think your joints are much more painful in winter. According to the latest scientific research, there is a definite link and that might see you seeking the professional services of a Kingsland physio in Auckland for some treatment. As a Kingsland physio with great expertise and experience in providing pain relief, we’re only too happy to help.
There are several plausible theories why there is such a strong connection between aching joints and cold weather. Some of the most well-known include:
- Increased joint pain might be the result of the change in atmospheric pressure that is associated with cold fronts. As barometric pressure drops, inflamed joints swell. This swelling can irritate sensory nerves located in and around the joints, which causes considerable pain and discomfort.
- Joint linings are known to contract in cold weather – a lot of things do! In the case of joint linings, nerve endings in the tissues are stimulated, resulting in messages of pain and tightness being sent to the brain.
- In cooler weather, blood circulation to the limbs decreases as your body strives to keep your core temperature steady. The downside of this is that reduced blood supply leads to an accompanying decrease in oxygen delivery to the tissues, which causes stiffness and discomfort.
- During winter cold snaps, we are far less inclined to be as active as we would be during the warmer months of summer. This lack of movement means joints and muscles that are already compromised have a reduced flow of nutrients and oxygen which makes arthritic pain even worse.
So now you know the reasons for feeling more discomfort at this time of year, the obvious question is: what can you do to ease your pain during the winter months? There are several things with the most obvious of them being to stay warm. Layers of clothing, heating pads, and blankets generate heat, and that helps your muscles relax and reduce your perception of pain.
Compression to joints that swell in cold weather could also be of benefit; keep in mind that heat won’t help with joint swelling but can alleviate any stiffness. It’s also important to stay active during winter, although we advise you to dress warmly if you’re going outside to exercise in cold weather.
Finally, you can contact us for relief from ongoing winter pain. We have a range of treatments and techniques that will cheer you up when the temperature falls.