How Cold Weather Affects Your Back
Old man winter is quickly approaching and that means in some parts of the country, temperatures are dropping! For some people, as soon as the cold weather sets in, their aches and pains seem to get much worse.
Understanding the connection between cold temperatures and back pain is your first step toward getting the relief you need. With this in mind, here are some things to consider:
1. Colder Temps Mean Tenser Muscles
When our bodies are cold, they tense up easily. This increased muscle tension can worsen back pain. We also tend to tense up when walking on slick, icy surfaces. It’s extremely important that you wear the right shoes that will help you get a grip on slippery surfaces.
In addition, if you spend time outside shoveling snow, your back is going to feel it. Be sure to use proper lifting and twisting techniques to mitigate injury. If you’re not sure how to properly shovel snow, give our office a call or stop by, we’ll walk you through it (though we’ll leave the shoveling to you!).
2. S.A.D.
With the days darker and shorter, many people experience depression during the winter months. A dip in our mood can definitely aggravate physical pain, including back pain. You may find it helpful to use a SAD light box, which mimics the sun’s full spectrum to help fight winter blues.
3. Less Physical Activity
Let’s face it, it’s harder to be active during the winter. Most of us just want to stay indoors on our sofa streaming Netflix. But the more you stay active and keep those muscles flexible, the less back pain you’ll have.
If the colder temps are making your back pain flare up, we invite you to come in for a free consultation. We can come up with a personalized treatment plan to help your back feel great, no matter the season!
SOURCES:
https://www.adventhealth.com/practices/adventhealth-medical-group-spine-health/blog/4-facts-about-winter-weather-and-back-pain
How Cold Weather Affects Back Pain and What You Can Do About It