6 Tips For Reducing Arthritis Pain This Winter

Welcome to January, better known as the winter of our discontent…especially if you suffer from degenerative arthritis. The cold, windy and wet conditions that bring frigid temperatures and blizzards also seem to bring winter arthritis pain. Some people swear their knees can warn of a change in the air before it rains or gets cold. Whether or not your appendages can actually forecast the weather, the reality is that around 25 million people in the U.S. suffer from degenerative arthritis. There are many treatment options available to help people with arthritis, but one you might not have thought about is chiropractic care. Dr. Cody Doyle, a local Trophy Club, TX chiropractor wintercan help improve your wellness and reduce your joint pain this winter.

Degenerative Arthritis and Winter Weather

Is increased arthritis pain really a predictor of the weather or is it just an old wives tale? While the connection might have been downplayed in the past, recent studies suggest there may actually be a link. “67.9 percent of the people surveyed responded that they were sure changes in the weather had an effect on their pain…Most reported that they can feel a change…before rain or cold weather occur,” according to Robert Jamison, a professor at Harvard Medical School.¹However, the link may not just be cold, but changes in the barometric pressure, which can cause joints to expand, increasing pain.

Tips for Reducing Winter Joint Pain

There are things you can do to reduce the severity of arthritis pain in the winter. Here are 6 tips to help make winter more bearable for your aching joints.

1. Dress warmly in layers.

When the temps drop, be sure to keep your joints as covered up as possible. This is especially true for joints that receive more exposure to the elements such as your hands, knees and feet. Gloves a must in the winter months. Wear warm pants if you can, but if you need to wear a dress or skirt, try wearing leggings or thick tights. You can layer to get maximum coverage when you go outside, but still have the freedom to remove some outer layers if it is warmer inside.

2. Drink plenty of water

Water is good for everything, even your joints. In the winter months it is easy to become dehydrated since you are not hot as much, but it is still important to drink up. Keeping hydrated can reduce the affect of arthritis pain.

3. Maintain a healthy weight.

The New Year’s Resolution to get in shape is a perennial favorite with many people. There are so many health issues that can be solved by losing or maintaining a healthy weight, including reducing the pain and inflammation in your joints.

4. Get plenty of exercise.

Even though it is cold outside, you can still exercise inside. There are many options, from joining a gym to exercise videos that you can buy or find online. Do a search on YouTube and you are sure to find several. There are also dozens (if not hundreds) of weight loss and exercise apps you can download on your mobile devices.

5. Eat a healthy diet.

What we put in our bodies affects our health in every way. Nutritious foods will help you maintain a healthy weight and give you energy for all that exercise (see above). Certain foods can also do a good job of helping to relieve joint pain and stiffness, including those with Omega-3 fatty acids like salmon. You can also take fish oil supplements. Be sure to speak to your doctor before taking any supplement or vitamin, however.

6. See a Chiropractor.

A chiropractor can adjust your spine and joints, which can help reduce muscle strain, spasms, misalignments and to break up old scar tissue. It is a safe, non-invasive treatment that can reduce the inflammation that causes joint pain, especially when combined with rotating heat and cold compresses.

Chiropractic care has many benefits for those who suffer from arthritis. It can:

• Reduce your pain and discomfort
• Decrease joint inflammation
• Improve your range of motion
• Improve your flexibility
• Increase activity to enhance your lifestyle

Contact a Local Chiro in Trophy Club, TX

Want to know whether a visit to a chiropractor can help ease the pain from arthritis this winter? Call our office at (817) 767-5430 to set up an initial appointment with Dr. Doyle