There’s a lot to love about cooler fall temperatures – sipping on your favorite pumpkin spice concoctions, cozying up by the fire, watching your kids kick around in a big pile of freshly-raked leaves.
Not on that list – more noticeable chronic back and joint pain. It’s long been reported that colder weather can have a negative affect on chronic pain, and while the scientific data is limited, anecdotal evidence supports the connection. Some research also suggests that changes in barometric pressure can aggravate spine and joint conditions, and that constriction of blood vessels due to the cold can make pain worse.
If chilly temps are affecting your pain levels, there are things you can do at home to get some relief. Try some of these the next time the cold kicks up your chronic pain:
- A warm bath with Epsom salt
- Short-term use of heating pads
- Heat wraps from the drug store or pharmacy
- Keeping muscles warm with exercise to avoid stiffness, swelling, inflammation and pain
Ortho Sport & Spine Physicians also offers a wide range of treatment options to help you get a handle on your chronic back and joint pain, regardless of the weather. Give us a call today to sc
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