For many people who have suffered a joint injury, the cold weather can cause a surprising amount of discomfort.
Whilst the stiffness, aches, pains and inflammation associated with joint injury can affect people at any time of the year, some will claim that the pain gets worse during the winter months.
Whether this is actually the case is subject to debate, as whilst there are studies that show a connection between pain and colder temperatures and so much anecdotal evidence that it cannot be ignored, physiotherapists are often baffled as to why this is the case.
Whilst heat and ice treatments are used to treat swelling and inflammation, cold weather generally is not cold enough to have the same effect.
However, several theories have arisen to try and explain why this is the case.
The first is that cold weather causes the fluid around your joints to become thicker, making movement more laboured and more painful.
Another, more popular theory claims that it is less about the weather itself but instead about air pressure, which can cause injured joints at risk of inflammation to swell up. This is part of the reason why people with arthritis or chronic joint pain feel worse on rainy days.
Part of it as well is that cold weather increases blood flow in order to keep heat moving around the body, which can cause more blood to collect in joints suffering from pain.
Finally, there is the suggestion that it is less of a physical issue and more of a psychological one. In rainy and chilly weather, people tend to exercise less than they do in the summer, as it is harder to get warmed up.
As a result of this lessened activity, joints can stiffen and hurt more.
Regardless, the best solution to reduce joint pain is to try and remain as active as possible, as this will strengthen joints and keep them warm, reducing the effect of the cold.
For more information, advice and treatments from a sports therapist in Maidenhead, get in touch today.
