3 Ways to Avoid Back Pain This Winter
People who usually do not experience back pain might find themselves experiencing it once the temperatures drop during the winter months. Additionally, individuals with year-round back issues often find that their symptoms worsen during the winter.
When it gets cold, the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the back tighten and become less flexible. This tightness and lack of flexibility lead to restricted movements and painful inflammation that results in severe lumber aches and pain. Reports of neck pain, joint pain, back pain, and general body ache increase during the winter weather. Such complaints come from people with no previous back pain conditions and people with preexisting spinal conditions.
3 Tips to Avoid Back Pain during Winter
The cold is not the only culprit to blame for your back pain in the winter. Other conditions and situations can lead to back pain. Illnesses (i.e., flu, bronchitis, or pneumonia) can directly cause the body to ache or place you on bed rest for an extended period. This will prevent you from integrating much-needed movement into your routine for your body’s health. Seasonal depression can make it difficult to exercise or take a daily walk. Some back pain results from injuries caused by winter activities, such as shoveling snow or putting up decorations.
While the cold often worsens back pain symptoms, there are still other contributing factors of which you should be aware. The following are three ways to avoid back pain this winter:
Keep Yourself Warm
If the cold is making your back ache, keep yourself bundled up with proper clothing and outerwear. Wearing the proper clothing and footwear when you step out into the cold will help with back pain, and it can also help prevent illness.
Keep It Moving
The cold might tempt you to stay inside and curled up in bed all day, but you should try to incorporate movement into your daily routine. Even a thirty-minute walk can help with back pain. Walking keeps your back muscles strong and loose, thus avoiding the restrictions that can lead to pain.
Be Careful Out There
Carrying heavy bags or lifting heavy objects can put a severe strain on your back. Shoveling snow or removing ice from driveways can also be straining on your back. While it is fun to start decorating and cleaning for the holidays, listen to your body and pace yourself.
The icy grounds and crowded spaces can lead to slips and falls. Watch your step on hazardous walkways, and always keep an eye on your surroundings to avoid accidents.
Consult with Our Expert Spinal Pain Relief Doctors at Orthopedic & Laser Spine Surgery
Struggling with back pain affects your mood, which has a domino effect on the rest of your day. At Orthopedic & Laser Spine Surgery (OLSS), we are proud to offer cutting-edge medical procedures for neck and back treatment that help our patients get back to enjoying their lives. Our medical team works to identify the root of your pain in order to create a treatment plan designed around you and your condition’s individualized needs.
The medical staff at OLSS is highly experienced and trained in understanding the range of conditions affecting the back and neck. Additionally, we know the most effective ways to treat pain using minimally invasive techniques. We want our patients to enjoy faster recovery times so that they can return to their everyday lives. For more information, you can call (855) 853-6542 or complete our contact form.