Cold Weather and Joint Pain

First of all I hope everyone enjoyed the snow and stayed warm. I am also very sorry for rescheduling some of your appointments this week due to the snow. I also had a number of patients contacting me this week about increased pain, so that is the inspiration behind this week's blog.

Yes, the cold can increase your joint pain, however there is some conflicting evidence.

Studies have found a strong relationship between cold damp days and increased joint pain. One suggested reason is that changes in barometric pressure can cause this. Another suggestion is the colder temperatures can cause changes in the viscosity of joint fluid. Other studies suggest there is no link between pain and cold weather at all. However what I do know for sure is many of my patients complain of more pain in the colder weather.

So what can be done? Stay warm. Apart from wearing an extra jumper exercise can also help. Warm ups are called warm ups for a reason and it is imperative to warm up extra vigilantly in the cold weather. It is easy to get lazy in the cold weather but important not to. Just make sure your chosen sport is not down hill skiing, snowboarding or sledging; keep it safe if you are pregnant.

Keeping a healthy diet can also help as can a hot water bottle, as long as it is not lying over your bump. Baths can also be relaxing but if you are pregnant make sure the water is not too hot as it can make you dizzy when it comes to standing up, and saunas should be avoided. This is because the heat makes your blood vessels wider and this can cause light headedness and fainting.

Your body will do a brilliant job in keeping your unborn baby warm so it is just yourself you need to worry abut here. It is you that becomes susceptible to the cold during pregnancy. As your bump gets bigger and there is more surface area for heat to be lost through the colder you may feel, so make sure you dress properly for these cold wintery days.

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If you are suffering from pain and would like to book an appointment, please contact me on 0544485086 or by email to tamaramay.physio@gmail.com. I can arrange to see you in Bishvilaych Women's Comprehensive Medical Centre in Givat Shaul, Jerusalem or a home visit if you live in Gush Etzion.