Cody B. Doyle DC, DIANM | Chiropractor Roanoke Tx 76262 | Board Certified Chiropractic Orthopedist

Board Certified Chiropractor Serving Patients in Roanoke, Keller, and Fort Worth Texas

6 Tips For Reducing Arthritis Pain This Winter

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Handsome middle age man suffering pain on hands and fingers, arthritis inflammation

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

How to Have a Better Quality of Life with Degenerative Arthritis

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hands with degenerative arthritisDegenerative arthritis, better known as osteoarthritis, affects approximately 27 million American adults who are over the age of 25 years old. It is also the leading form of arthritis in the United States. As you age, your chances for developing arthritis increase dramatically. If you suffer from this joint condition, then you’re familiar with the symptoms: stiffness, mild swelling, pain when moving, and limited range of motion.

Arthritic patients often experience a decrease in quality of life due to the limitations placed on them. For most patients, arthritis pain increases throughout the day, which makes evening outings uncomfortable and sometimes impossible. Dr. Cody Doyle in Roanoke, TX uses a holistic approach to managing arthritis pain. He restores your quality of life by manipulating the musculoskeletal system in the body through acupuncture.

To learn more about how Dr. Doyle uses acupuncture to manage arthritis pain, call 817-767-5430 to schedule your appointment in Roanoke, TX today.

Degenerative Arthritis and Acupuncture 

Acupuncture is derived from Chinese culture and designed to open blocked meridian channels. According to the Chinese, the body has roughly 20 invisible channels (meridian channels). There are approximately 2,000 acupuncture points that are connected to various sections of these channels. Qi, the body’s natural energy flow, moves throughout the meridian channels. When the channels become blocked, energy builds up at that blocked spot and results in pain and/or illness.

Dr. Doyle inserts specialized acupuncture needles into various points in the body to open the blocked channels. Endorphins are released when the needles make contact with the blocked channels and naturally fight painful sensations in the body. Quality of life improves when pain is properly managed.

By holistically manipulating the musculoskeletal system, Dr. Doyle stimulates neurotransmitters, such as cortisol and endorphins, which reduces inflammation and aids arthritic pain felt in stiff joints. Unlike NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), there are no side effects with acupuncture treatment. Some patients feel that this nonsurgical treatment is ineffective, however there is limited, yet promising, research about the significant effects of acupuncture and degenerative arthritis.

At-Home Pain Management

Along with acupuncture care with Dr. Doyle, there are changes that can be made at home to manage degenerative arthritis pain. After receiving treatment with Dr. Doyle, you can begin to make small changes to improve your quality of life.

Get Moving

Although arthritic patients experience stiffness and pain, it’s important to stay active. Degenerative arthritis causes pain when you attempt to move, however once you make the movement, the pain stops. Dr. Doyle encourages his arthritis patients to participate in physical activities, such as taking a short walk in the morning when pain is less severe. If you’re a fan of the water, you could do a few laps in the local pool to get your joints moving. Regular exercise has also been shown to reduce stress, a key contributor to inflammation in the body. Exercising not only reduces the side effects of arthritis, but can promote healthy bones, strong muscles, and mental clarity.

You Are What You Eat

A great way to promote a healthy body and happy joints is to eat anti-inflammatory foods, such as:

  • Yogurt
  • Fresh vegetables
  • Fresh fruits
  • Green tea
  • Cook with oregano, basil, or ginger

For more information about acupuncture, call 817-767-5430 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Doyle in Roanoke, TX.