Winter is upon us, and for those who suffer with sore, stiff and aching joints at this time of the year, the recent bitterly cold weather has no doubt marked its arrival in a painful way.
Indeed, for those with chronic conditions such as arthritis, gout or fibromyalgia, winter can be a particularly unpleasant time, putting a real damper on what should be a happy, fun and exciting season.
In this post we’ll list a few ways to counter the negative effects the cold has on your joints, so hopefully you’ll be able to enjoy winter free from the usual aches and pains!
Stay Active
When the weather’s cold, it’s tempting to seek solace by retreating indoors whenever possible. But while there’s nothing wrong with that, if we’re not careful this can seriously reduce our mobility, which will only make stiff joints worse.
If you do decide to spend more time indoors, be sure to remain active to keep those joints moving.
Indoor exercise sessions are a great way to ensure your joints get the workout they need, or if you’re a member of a gym then even better as you’ll be doing your exercises in a controlled environment with all the equipment you need.
Supplements
If you’re searching for a natural elixir to protect your sore and stiff joints from the cold, fish oils are great for doing just that!
Omega 3s, glucosamine and cod liver oil, in particular, are great for reducing inflammation and providing protection for the joint, keeping them supple and lubricated to ease stiffness and enhance mobility during the cold season.
Stay Warm At Home
As we spend more time at home during the winter, we need to ensure our humble abode is providing the best conditions for our bodies to handle. The temperature is a bit part of this, so it’s imperative you keep your home at a healthy temperature when it’s cold outside.
Keep the thermostat up to stay snug and wrap yourself in warm layers as this should act as a barrier between your joints and the cold air.
Likewise, indulge in warm baths as these will stimulate blood flow to stiff joints and sore muscles. The warm water will also loosen the joints, allowing you to have a good stretch, which will also help loosen you up immensely.
Protect Against Winter Weather
The winter weather can pose a real hazard for joints, with snow, ice-cold rain and bitter winds battering you from every angle! So when you have to leave home be sure to wrap up in nice, warm clothes that keep your warmth insulated and prevent cold air from getting inside.
Thick insulated gloves should help your fingers and hands stay pain-free, while thermal pants can keep knees protected. Don’t forget a long scarf to wrap around your neck, and the importance of wearing the correct footwear at this time of the year should never be underestimated.
Thai Yoga Massage
The ancient Thai massage is tailored to unravel the knots of stiffness and pain not just in winter but all year round. This therapeutic practice employs a diverse array of techniques that serve as a veritable elixir for stiffened joints during the chilly season.
Thai yoga massage encompasses a blend of gentle stretches, targeted acupressure and rhythmic compressions, carried out to alleviate tension and enhance flexibility of the muscles and joints.
Unlike other types of massage, a big focus is placed on putting pressure along energy lines known as “sen,”. It’s belIeved this helps to coax the body into a state of relaxation, easing the tightness that can be a plague for joints at this time of the year.
The stretches, which are reminiscent of yoga postures, strengthen muscles and release deep-seated muscular tension, sheltering you from the stiffness that accompanies colder temperatures.
Using our repertoire of time-tested techniques that are finely attuned to addressing joint stiffness, we can help you loosen up this winter. So if you’re desperate to avoid the usual issues with winter, get in touch with us, as well as following the other tips we offered in this post, and let’s get those joints looser and less achey.