Winter is about cold winds, snow, and seasonal blues. These factors contributing to winter joint pain can aggravate physical woes, including chronic back pain. The extra workload of shoveling the snow and festive prep can worsen it due to exertion and restlessness. You may end up popping painkillers and struggling to move due to severe pain. Nothing gets worse than having to stay in bed during festive celebrations. Fortunately, a few precautions are enough to avoid the situation and stay active throughout the season. Here are some expert-recommended tips to survive chronic back pain in winter.
TREATMENT FOR WINTER JOINT PAIN
Avoid pushing yourself too hard
Most people experience a spike in backache during winter because they push themselves too hard. Imagine the pressure shoveling snow off your driveway and scraping ice off surfaces can exert on your back. You may even suffer while indulging in fun activities such as sledding and decking up your home for festive celebrations. Experts recommend listening to your body and avoiding stretching it beyond your limits. You may share a bit of workload and have some fun, but skip going over the top.
Wear warm clothing
Chronic winter joint pain may worsen due to exposure to cold winds and low temperatures. You can easily avert the risk by wearing warm clothing indoors and outdoors. Staying warm prevents muscle and ligament tightening, which can lead to severe pain. A warm thermal layer is essential, and you must have enough layers on top. Always wear a long layer to cover your lower back.
ABOUT JOINT PAIN
Not all health problems resolve with precautions and good care. Struggling with discomfort is the last thing you want to do during the festive season. Seeking immediate back pain treatment from a specialist is the best alternative. You can rely on a combination of chiropractic care, physiotherapy, and other therapies to address the problem from the root. Timely care keeps you fit and happy and reduces your dependence on medications.
CAUSES
The causes of arthralgia are varied and range, from a joints perspective, from degenerative and destructive processes such as osteoarthritis and sports injuries to inflammation of tissues surrounding the joints, such as bursitis. These might be triggered by other things, such as infections or vaccinations.
MAINSTREAM TREATMENTS
Treatment depends on a specific underlying cause. The underlying cause will be treated first and foremost. The treatments may include joint replacement surgery for severely damaged joints, immunosuppressants for immune system dysfunction, antibiotics when an infection is the cause, and discontinuing medication when an allergic reaction is the cause. When treating the primary cause, winter joint pain management may still play a role in treatment. The extent of its role varies depending on the specific cause of the arthralgia.
Winter joint pain management may include stretching exercises, over the counter pain medications, prescription pain medication, or other treatments deemed appropriate for the symptoms. Capsaicin, a substance found in chili peppers, may relieve joint pain from arthritis and other conditions. Capsaicin blocks the actions of substance P, which helps transmit pain signals, and capsaicin triggers the release of pain-blocking chemicals in the body known as endorphins. Side effects of capsaicin cream include burning or stinging in the area where it is applied. Another topical option is an arthritis cream containing the ingredient, methyl salicylate (Bengay).
Diagnosis involves interviewing the patient and performing physical exams. When attempting to establish the cause of the arthralgia, the emphasis is on the interview. The patient is asked questions intended to narrow the number of potential causes. Given the varied nature of these possible causes, some questions may seem irrelevant. For example, the patient may be asked about dry mouth, light sensitivity, rashes or a history of seizures. Answering yes or no to any of these questions limits the number of possible causes and guides the physician toward the appropriate exams and lab tests.
