Anyone with stiff joints knows how much worse it gets when the cold weather sets in. Winter aches and pains can make everyday life a struggle, especially when you’re busy with family and friends over the festive season. Help is at hand, however! Osteopathy and massage can help prevent and ease joint pain in cold weather or on damp days.
Why does joint pain worsen in winter?
If you have a condition that means you have joint pain or inflammation, your symptoms may feel worse during winter. Such conditions include:
· Arthritis
· Osteoarthritis
· Rheumatoid arthritis
· Gout
· Chronic fatigue syndrome
· Fibromyalgia
· Bursitis
· Tendinitis
We know that winter weather can make your joints more painful and less easy to move. A 2020 study of over 13,000 patients, conducted by the University of Manchester found that people tended to experience more pain on days with higher humidity, stronger winds and low pressure.
More research is needed so that scientists can fully understand why joint pain feels worse in cold, damp weather. Some theories are as follows:
· Thickening of the synovium (the soft tissue lining the joint that produces lubricating fluid) during winter.
· Expansion and swelling of muscles and tendons around the joints as a response to lower barometric pressure.
· Lower blood supply to limbs in cold weather, so that vital organs such as heart, kidneys and lungs are prioritised. Decreased circulation makes the soft tissue around the joint less pliable, meaning that your joints feel stiff and tight.
How can osteopathy and massage help with winter aches and pains?
Osteopathy works to ease painful joints by addressing the balance and strength of the whole body.
Osteopaths will use techniques that boost circulation around the joints, to support the supply of nutrients and ease inflammation. They also aim to improve mobility of the joint and surrounding areas. Often, your osteopath will work on adjacent muscles and joints to take some strain off the affected area and correct any build-up of tension resulting from adapting to the pain. Finally, our osteopaths provide tailored advice on flexibility and strengthening exercise to help you maintain mobility and ease pressure on your joints.
Massage, alongside osteopathy, is beneficial for reducing winter aches and pains. A 2019 study found massage to be effective in easing pain for those with knee osteoarthritis. The level of pressure is important – a 2010 study in the International Journal of Neuroscience showed that stimulating pressure receptors – or nerves under the skin that convey pain-reducing signals to the brain – with moderate pressure leads to reduced symptoms. Our osteopaths and massage therapists work together to ensure you receive the right treatment for you.
Book your appointment now
It couldn’t be easier to book your appointment with Osteo & Physio! Book a session via our app, website or call our friendly reception team on 0345 5577788.
