As temperatures begin to drop, you might feel joint pain flare up, especially if you suffer from arthritis or other conditions that cause inflammation. You might also have more stiffness than usual, making it harder to do even simple tasks. Fortunately, there are several ways that you can manage joint pain in cold weather without having to rely on medications or resort to surgery or other procedures.
The Effects of Cold Weather on Joint Pain
Although the reasons for an increase in joint pain have not been extensively researched, one theory is that it could be related to changes in barometric pressure. Many people with joint pain complain that it becomes more severe in colder weather, but more research is needed to fully understand why this occurs. Another explanation is that the soft tissue that surrounds the joints becomes less flexible when it’s cold out, resulting in increased stiffness and discomfort.
The Problems with Conventional Pain Relief
Conventional treatments for joint pain include over-the-counter medications that relieve pain. These are typically used for those with mild or moderate pain. For more severe pain, treatment options include corticosteroid injections to ease inflammation and prescription pain relievers. When these treatments are ineffective, other options include surgery or other invasive procedures to help relieve pain caused by joint damage or wear and tear.
Over-the-counter pain medications only provide temporary relief, and they come with the risk of side effects or adverse reactions for some people. Prescription pain relievers put people at risk of developing an addiction, while injections can cause harmful effects if they’re used on a long-term basis. Surgery and other invasive procedures put people at risk of complications, such as excessive bleeding or damage to surrounding nerves and soft tissue.
Natural Ways to Relieve Joint Pain
When joint pain increases during fall and winter, you can turn to natural ways to safely relieve pain. This helps you avoid the risks associated with conventional forms of treatment. From making changes to your diet to knowing how to dress for the cold, the following are effective ways to ease joint pain.
Focus on Healthy Fats
Not all fat is bad for your body. In fact, fats found in omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to provide important health benefits, including easing inflammation. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fats that your body can’t make on its own. You can get these healthy fats from several foods, including oily fish, such as salmon, soy products, flaxseed, walnuts and pumpkin seeds. If you plan on taking fish oil supplements to boost your omega-3 fatty acid intake, check with your doctor first if you bleed or bruise easily.
Soak in Warm Water
Warm water helps soothe achy joints that get even more sore in cold weather. After being out in the cold, soaking in warm water helps improve blood flow to sore joints, which helps relieve stiffness and pain. You can find relief from cold-related joint pain by taking a warm bath or swimming in heated indoor pools. Just keep in mind that you should avoid soaking in warm water right before going out in the cold, since this can cause considerable discomfort. Instead, wait for your body to cool down before heading outside in cooler weather.
Get Physical Activity Inside
Getting physical activity can help reduce the risk of having joint pain flare up during fall and winter. Regular exercise helps your joints maintain their flexibility, resulting in a reduced risk of stiffness and discomfort. In order to avoid the cold, plan on working out indoors either at home or at a local gym. Indoor activities that can help keep your joints strong and flexible include doing stretches, using treadmills and riding stationary bikes.
Bundle up in Layers
Joint pain can grow worse when these parts of your body are exposed to the cold. This mainly affects the fingers and hands, although other joints can become sore if you’re not dressed warmly enough. Put on layers to protect your joints from the cold, such as gloves on your hands and leggings for your hips and knees. This can help prevent joint pain from flaring up or ease discomfort that is already present.
When you deal with increased joint pain in cold weather, try relieving this discomfort with natural methods rather than depending on medication to help you feel better. This can help you feel healthier overall in addition to easing discomfort in your joints.
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