Arthritis: Relief Tips for Winter
For people with arthritis, winter is not always easy. Managing arthritis pain can be more difficult during the colder months. As the outdoor temperature drops sharply, it causes a sudden decrease in barometric pressure, which can lead to swelling of the joints. As a result, some patients may develop or experience more intense joint pain.
Orthopaedic Surgeon Andreas Leonidou provides useful tips that you can follow to reduce joint pain during the winter.
Keep Your Body Warm
Clearly, the best way to avoid the cold is to stay indoors in a temperature-controlled environment. However, when you go outdoors, one of the best ways to combat cold-weather aches and pains is to wear warm clothing, gloves and thick socks. Finally, a warm bath when you return home can help relieve pain.
Stay Active
Exercise is one of the best activities for proactively relieving arthritis pain. It is also an excellent way to improve your overall health. Exercise helps improve mobility, energy levels and muscle strength, all of which can help reduce joint pain. Low-impact exercises place the least amount of pressure on your joints.
Wear Compression Garments
Compression gloves, socks and sleeves help relieve joint pain. They can also improve circulation, which appears to reduce pain associated with arthritis. Compression garments are particularly useful during the cold winter months, as they also help retain warmth.
Vitamins
Vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids can help relieve arthritis pain. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium – a building block of bones – more effectively. Vitamin D deficiency may contribute to the development of joint pain. Usually, our body gets a good amount of vitamin D through our diet. Our body can also synthesise vitamin D with the help of sunlight, which, however, may be insufficient during the winter months.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Maintaining a healthy weight reduces pressure on the joints, helping to relieve stiffness and pain. Research has shown that every kilogram of body weight is multiplied by 3 at the knees and by 6 at the hips.
Frequently asked questions
Is heat or cold better for arthritis?
Both can help, in different situations. Warmth helps stiff muscles and joints relax and move more easily, while a cold pack can soothe hot, swollen joints. Many people find that one method works better for them, or use different approaches at different times.
Does the weather affect arthritis pain?
Many people report that their symptoms get worse with changes in the weather. Some have more pain when it is cold or damp, while others find that extreme heat causes extra pain. It is worth noticing what applies to you and adjusting warmth, activity and clothing accordingly.
Does exercising in water help arthritis?
In a Cochrane review, aquatic exercise had small, short-term but clinically relevant benefits for pain, disability and quality of life in people with knee and hip osteoarthritis. Before starting a new exercise programme, discuss it with your doctor or physiotherapist.
To learn more about relieving arthritis pain, consult Orthopaedic Surgeon Andreas Leonidou. Book your appointment for a personalised diagnosis and treatment of your condition.
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