Does Cold Weather Make Arthritis Worse?
Written by: Dr Richard Domenic Simeoni, Physiotherapist
If your joints seem to know that winter has arrived before you check the weather, you’re not alone. Many people with arthritis notice more stiffness, aching and difficulty getting moving during the colder months.
The link between cold weather and arthritis pain isn’t completely straightforward. Cold weather does not necessarily mean that the arthritis itself is getting worse or that more damage is occurring. However, changes in temperature and air pressure may affect how some people experience pain. Muscles and other tissues around the joints can also feel tighter in the cold.
There is another fairly simple factor involved: most of us move less during winter. Shorter days, cold mornings and wet weather make it much easier to stay indoors. Unfortunately, less movement can lead to increased stiffness, reduced muscle strength and less support around an already painful joint.
Movement is usually part of the solution
When a joint is sore, the natural response is often to protect it and avoid using it. A short period of rest can be appropriate during a flare-up, particularly if the joint is hot, swollen or unusually painful. Over the longer term, however, avoiding movement altogether will often make things more difficult.
Appropriate exercise is one of the most useful treatments available for arthritis. It can help maintain joint movement, strengthen the muscles supporting the joint and make everyday activities such as walking, climbing stairs and getting out of a chair easier.
This doesn’t mean you need to push through significant pain or suddenly start a strenuous exercise program. The right amount of exercise will depend on the joint involved, the type of arthritis, your current strength and what you need to be able to do.
How physiotherapy can help
Physiotherapy treatment for arthritis should be specific to the person rather than simply handing everyone the same sheet of exercises.
We normally start by looking at which joints are painful, how well they are moving and whether weakness, stiffness or reduced balance is contributing to the problem. We also consider how the symptoms are affecting your day-to-day life.
Treatment may include:
Exercises to improve strength and joint support
Gentle mobility work to reduce stiffness
Hands-on treatment where appropriate
Advice about pacing activity during a flare-up
Help returning to walking, exercise or other activities
Strategies for managing symptoms at home
The aim is not to pretend the arthritis is no longer there. It is to reduce the impact it has on your movement and help you remain as active and independent as possible.
Where MLS Laser Therapy may help
At Nano Physiotherapy, we also offer MLS Laser Therapy as an additional treatment option for certain painful and arthritic joints.
MLS Laser is a non-invasive form of photobiomodulation. It uses specific wavelengths of light delivered into the treatment area. The treatment does not involve needles and is generally comfortable.
Research into laser therapy for arthritis is continuing. Current evidence suggests that appropriately dosed laser therapy may help reduce pain and improve function in some people, particularly those with knee osteoarthritis. Results will vary, and laser therapy is not a cure or a replacement for appropriate exercise and medical care.
In practice, I generally see MLS Laser as something that can work alongside physiotherapy rather than as a stand-alone treatment. If we can settle some of the pain and irritation around a joint, it may become easier to move, exercise and build strength. That combination is often more useful than relying on a passive treatment alone.
A few ways to manage arthritis this winter
Try to keep some regular movement in your day, even when the weather isn’t inviting. A short walk, gentle indoor exercises or several smaller periods of activity can be more manageable than one long session.
It can also help to warm up gradually before exercising, dress warmly when heading outside and avoid doing too much on a day when your symptoms feel good. Arthritis symptoms can fluctuate, so pacing yourself is often important.
If pain or stiffness is making it difficult to stay active, physiotherapy can help you work out what is safe, useful and realistic for you.
Our Hornsby physiotherapy clinic is open throughout winter, and MLS Laser Therapy is available where clinically appropriate. You do not need a referral to make an appointment.
Contact Nano Physiotherapy or book online to arrange an assessment at our Hornsby clinic.
