One of the most common questions we’re hearing in the clinic at the moment is:
“Why do I feel so much stiffer in winter?”
If you’ve noticed your joints feeling stiffer, your muscles feeling tighter, or old injuries becoming more noticeable lately, you’re certainly not alone.
As the weather cools down, many people find that aches and pains seem to flare up. While winter itself doesn’t cause arthritis or injury, colder temperatures and weather changes often lead to reduced activity levels, tighter muscles, and increased joint stiffness, which can make existing issues more noticeable.
Some of the most common complaints we see during winter include:
- Neck and back pain
- Arthritic joint stiffness
- Shoulder pain
- Knee pain
- Tendon problems such as Achilles pain or tennis elbow
- General loss of flexibility and mobility
The good news is that a few simple habits can make a big difference:
- Keep moving, even on colder days
- Take regular breaks from sitting
- Continue your strength and mobility exercises
- Warm up thoroughly before activity
- Layer up when outside and some patients find benefit in neoprene compression garments
- Address small niggles before they become bigger problems
Many people assume they simply need to “put up with” winter stiffness, but often a little guidance, treatment, or a few targeted exercises can make a significant difference.
If aches, pains or stiffness are starting to affect your walking, exercise, work, golf, gardening or everyday activities, we’d be happy to help.
Simply call us at one of our 5 locations here or you can also book online
Stay warm and keep moving!
