Is Joint Pain Actually Worse in the Winter?

For years snowbirds have been travelling to warmer climates to spend their winter months, claiming that they have less pain in the winter when away from the cold, damp Ontario winter.  Is this accurate, or is it that we are just tired of shovelling, cleaning off our cars and adjusting our outdoor routines when we reach our golden years?

As much as the latter is definitely accurate, there are physical reasons that the elements can make osteoarthritis and other joint pains worse.  The winter environment impacts mechanics, nervous system sensations, and inflammation, which leads to increased pain, stiffness and less mobility.

• cooler tissues have reduced elasticity
• cooler temperatures cause thicker synovial fluid, the lubricant and shock absorber of the joints
• lower barometric pressure, often before storms, increase pressure on nerve endings causing increased pain sensation, especially when there are already structures taking up more space in the joint (like osteophytes, or fluid in the joint)
• reduced circulation so that healing is slowed, inflammation increases, and fewer nutrients get into the area

As always, I don't like sharing information without offering ways to help!  If you don't travel in the winter, there's still lots you can do.

Winter Joint Support

Being proactive with joint health requires attention to mobility, reducing inflammation, tissue support and repair, strengthening and improving the overall structure.

• ensure a good warmup before any activity to improve blood flow and elasticity (and reduce chance of injury)
• focus on mobility (once tissues are warm)
• use of heat and red light
• strength training to support and protect joints, plus to counter any weakened areas
• improve hydration:  it's easy to drink less water in the winter, but herbal teas and soups can help get fluids into the body
• physical treatments like acupuncture, massage, chiropractic and osteopathic therapies
• topicals like castor oil and arnica cream
• consider joint supportive nutrients:  protein and/or collagen rich foods like bone broth soups, calcium, magnesium, omega-3s from fish and walnuts and hemp seeds, vitamin D3 and K2, as well as antiinflammatory herbs like ginger, boswellia, and turmeric
  
  -> I've seen great results with people using anti-inflammatory foods, sauna or red light, omega-3, collagen and Arthriplex, a combination formula that contains glucosamine, MSM, ginger, turmeric and cat's claw (we have this at the clinic, but best to have a proper workup to design the best plan for you.)
  
  

The reality is that our bodies rust up if we don't use them.  Paying attention to strength, balance, mobility and providing the right nutrients to support joint health is ideal at any age. 

I realize that not all of this is new information, and what most of us struggle with is the implementation.  Part of that challenge could be motivation, but it can also be energy levels or trying to go all in, instead of taking a gradual approach to increasing activity levels.  By removing the obstacles to healing, you can feel your best.

The evenings are brighter and the days are lighter, let's have a healthy winter!
​Dr Christa

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