While the jury is still out on just how big a role weather plays in chronic pain, anecdotal evidence abounds. People across all age groups insist that cold, winter weather exacerbates their pain, with knee pain close to the top of the list.
Some researchers believe that this is because nerve endings in the joints are hypersensitive when it’s cold out, making pain worse. Others say that changes in barometric pressure are to blame for more intense pain.
Regardless of the reason, if cold-weather knee pain has you sitting through the holiday season, there are a few things you can do to get some relief.
- Stay active.
- Low-impact exercises such as walking can help keep joints lubricated. They can also help boost circulation to the knees and build up muscles that work to protect weaker joints. Exercise is also key in weight management, which can help to reduce pain.
- Make it hot.
- Try a warm bath, heating pad, or hot water bottle to help alleviate some of your cold-weather knee pain. Keeping your knee wrapped in a sleeve or sports bandage also helps keep muscles warm and protected.
- Don’t forgo H20.
- Being even a little bit dehydrated can make you more sensitive to knee pain. On the flip side, being properly hydrated helps to increase joint flexibility and helps decrease wear and tear on knees.
Ortho Sport & Spine Physicians also has a full range of treatments to help you get a handle on your chronic joint pain. We’ll work with you to get to the root cause of your pain, and craft a treatment plan based on your specific needs. Give us a call today!
Posted on behalf of