Does your body ever feel very stiff and achy in winter and ever wonder why?
There’s actually some science as to how the cold can affect our body internally and therefore as allied health professionals, we often hear how our patients joints or injuries are more painful during the colder months of the year.
There are a few possible reasonings for this occurrence:
1. CHANGES IN BAROMETRIC PRESSURE
a. Barometric pressure is the measure of air pressure in the atmosphere.
b. When temperature falls, barometric pressure reduces. It is said that when the barometric pressure decreases, the tissues in your body can expand and due to this, the compression can cause pain and stiffness.
2. THICKENING OF SYNOVIAL FLUID
a. Synovial fluid acts as a lubricant and a nutrient source for the structures in our joints.
b. It is said that during colder weather, the synovial fluid can thicken resulting in the joint not being able to move as freely as usual.
3. LACK OF ACTIVITY DURING WINTER
a. The amount of activity we do during winter can reduce as we tend to stay indoors more frequently.
b. The lack of movement results in reduced blood flow to muscles causing them to be stiff.
c. Similarly, getting out of bed first thing in the morning, the body can feel stiff as we have remained relatively still for up to 9 hours.
4. EMOTIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
a. On top of the above reasoning’s, your emotional state can also influence your perception of pain. A low mood can result in a heightened pain perception.
b. It is demonstrated how being outside for just 20 minutes a day can improve mood and well-being. However, if this is not met during the colder months as we stay indoors, it can affect our mental health.
PREVENTION APPROACHES
1. Wear appropriate clothing to stay warm especially if outdoors
2. Maintaining routine with exercise – whether it be doing a workout indoors to keep your body moving
