Does Cold Weather Cause Pain in Neck, Back & Joints?

Does Cold Weather Cause Pain in Neck, Back & Joints?

by Carrie Gonzales, September 23, 2013

back pain Does Cold Weather Cause Pain in Neck, Back & Joints?You might have heard people saying does “Cold Weather Cause Pain” and that their joint and back pain is so much worse in the winter months.  You’ve probably thought they might have been embellishing or being a little over dramatic.  The winter, does in fact, make your joint pain worse and can be quite debilitating for some.  In fact, some can actually predict the cold weather approaching by how much pain they are in.  This is actually a symptom, with an actual name, it is called Cold Allodynia.  People with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis and Psoriatic Arthritis, just to name a few, are all subject to being in more pain during the winter months.

Let’s not go too much into it, but the main point is that the cold weather can actually shrink the tissues causing them to pull on the nerve endings, thus causing joint pain.  When it is cold your nerve endings are extremely sensitive and the muscles surrounding your nerves tense up.  When the barometric pressure drops, there is less atmospheric pressure to hold the tissues back and it causes more inflamed tissue to swell and thus, cold weather causes pain. If you climbed to the top of Mount Fuji, the barometric pressure would drop and you would most certainly get joint pain in the neck or back.  This is called the pressure factor.

Can Cold Weather Cause pain? 8 Tips to Reduce the effects

After careful research and a bit of living with freezing conditions most of my life, tips passed down through the generations as well as validated medical data….

Tips to help minimize pain in colder weather….

      • For woman, it can actually be helpful for them to wear body shape wear as it can keep their body warmer
      • Make sure you do lots of EXTRA stretches in the morning and evening.  This can help keep you stay limber and not tense up
      • Make sure you exercise regularly, preferably inside.  It is important to stay active to avoid your joints from getting stagnant.  When you don’t move your muscles or joints regularly they will stiffen and make it more painful when you do move them
      • Swimming in a heated pool or a slightly heated Jacuzzi will also help minimize pain joint pain.
      • Try to not do too many rigorous activities outside during the winter months as you will be more prone to injury
      • Take supplements – Omega 3 fatty acids and Vitamin C are good sources for healthy joints
      • You can seek the help from a chiropractor or physical therapist to help you get on a good regimen for keeping your joints healthy


So, does cold weather cause pain? Yes, it seems like this could be very high maintenance in the winter months, but once you get your system, it will flow and will become a routine.   Your activities do not have to stop in the winter because you are afraid of the pain.  At BASIC we offer a variety of services such as spinal decompression therapy, joint injections, pain management, physical therapy, chiropractic and much more.  We can help you and your body adapt to the colder months so you won’t have to live in pain.  Cold Weather Cause pain.  If your body feels healthy, then so will you.


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