How to Manage Joint Pain In Winter
Many people find that their joint pain worsens as the temperatures drop. You might notice stiffness in your knees, aching fingers, or soreness in your hips — and winter often amplifies that discomfort. Understanding why this happens can help you better manage your symptoms and stay comfortable and active all season long.
Why do Your Joints Ache More in Cold Weather?
There are a lot of reasons why your joints may ache more in colder weather. Part of it comes down to barometric pressure changes. When a storm approaches, the barometric pressure drops. This means you have less air pressure surrounding your body, so the tissues around your joints expand, pressing on your nerves while causing discomfort. If you have arthritis, this can lead to joint sensitivity.
There’s also synovial fluid. Synovial fluid is essentially a lubricant for your joints, and it helps them to move properly. Cold weather can cause this fluid to thicken, which reduces flexibility while making motion not only more difficult but also more painful.
You then have the issue of reduced blood flow. As your body tries to naturally conserve heat in colder weather, it directs blood away from your extremities and directs it more towards your core. This can leave your joints feeling stiffer and colder.
Orthopedic-Approved Strategies for Pain Relief
If you want to adopt those strategies to help you stay warm in winter, there are a few things you can do.
Stay Warm
One of the best things you can do is try and stay warm. Keeping your body warm, especially your joints, is one of the best things you can do, and it’s also one of the best ways for you to ease stiffness. Dress in layers, opt for gloves, and also use thermal socks. Heating pads, warm towels, and warm baths can also be good ways for you to improve circulation. If you haven’t thought about it yet, using an electric blanket can also be a good idea, especially at night.
Maintain A Healthy Lifestyle
Any orthopedic specialist Austin, TX, like Direct Orthopedic Care, will tell you how important it is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Managing your weight reduces the strain on weight-bearing joints. If you can eat a high anti-inflammatory diet, then this will help as well. Stay hydrated to support your body’s natural joint lubrication, and stay active indoors if you find it hard to exercise in the cold.
Seek Professional Guidance
If you find that your pain is consistent or if you find that it is having a big impact on your mobility, seeking guidance is key. Physical therapy Dallas, TX, is very effective at treating joint pain, and there are many therapies you can undergo to try and improve your health overall.
At DOC, understand more than anyone how draining joint pain can be— but thanks to medical advancements, there are now more options than ever to help you live pain-free. With convenient locations across the Austin–Round Rock and Dallas–Fort Worth areas, our orthopedic specialists are ready to provide same-day care and personalized treatment to get you moving comfortably again. Book an appointment today to find out more.
