ARTHRITIS AND COLD WEATHER – Get Pain Relief With Central Physio

Here’s a fact about back pain that may bring you some comfort: It’s one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints in the world. Around 80% of people will have back pain at least once. So, if you’re suffering now, you probably aren’t the only one!

Of course, that thought does little to help if your back pain keeps you from performing day-to-day activities — as it often does. Back pain is often accompanied by mobility restrictions that make walking, rising from sitting or bending over difficult. And if left untreated, it can sometimes lead to long-term pain and dysfunction. At Central Physiotherapy & Massage, we know how debilitating back pain can be. Our team will help you understand the cause or causes of your back pain and work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that will let you get back to the activities you love to do.

What Causes Back Pain?

One of the reasons that back pain is so common is that it’s associated with several different injuries, underlying conditions, or lifestyle factors. That said, most back pain is non-specific, meaning it’s not caused by a specific disease or specific structural problem, but caused by mechanical issues. Mechanical issues are difficult to pinpoint and may include multiple tissues in and around the spinal joints.

The first step in treating your back pain is understanding what’s contributing to it. Our team will perform a comprehensive evaluation to help us learn as much as possible about your experience with back pain, including screening for any mobility limitations or weakness you’re struggling with.

Here are some of the more common sources of back pain that we see at our clinic:

Strains and Sprains: A strain occurs when you injure the muscles in your back. A sprain occurs when you injure the ligaments that link your spinal vertebrae. Both can cause pain and limited mobility, and they often result from lifting with improper form (such as twisting while lifting) or attempting to lift something too heavy.
Herniated Discs: Soft, flexible discs separate and cushion your spinal vertebrae. If one of those discs herniates — protrudes out — and irritates a nearby nerve, it can lead to intense pain, feeling “stuck” in a stooped over position, and often pain down the leg known as sciatica.
Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in the world, occurring when the cartilage and bone tissue in a joint degenerate and become inflamed. While we often associate it with the hips, knees, or hands, it can occur in the spine, too. Spinal osteoarthritis is sometimes called spondylosis.
Lifestyle Factors: Several factors can contribute to lower back pain, including improper posture, prolonged sitting, or weakness in the muscles that wrap and support your spine (your core muscles).

Why Central Physiotherapy Is Your Back Pain Solution

While back pain often resolves on its own within 1-3 months, therapy is an excellent choice for people with particularly intense pain or extremely restrictive mobility. It’s also useful for people with chronic back pain — defined as pain that lingers past that three-month mark.
We customize all our back pain treatment plans according to your specific needs: the location and severity of your back pain, any mobility restrictions, your ability level, and overall goals. We’ll work to address the underlying issues causing your pain rather than simply masking the symptoms.

How will we do this? Through a blend of the following:

Manual therapy helps manage pain, promote blood circulation, and improve mobility.
A personalized therapeutic exercise plan improves the strength, flexibility, and endurance of your back and core muscles. Muscle weakness significantly contributes to lower back pain, so exercise is a must.
Specialized training, such as proper techniques and activities that simulate functional movements you’ll need to perform (i.e., squats, lunges, lifting, etc.).
Prevention strategies help reduce future back pain incidents. These strategies might include postural corrections or suggestions for at-home exercises, such as a walking program or regular strength and mobility practice.

Get Moving Again!

Back pain is more than just pain. It can severely restrict your mobility, leading to less exercise and movement, further contributing to pain and dysfunction. The Central Physiotherapy team is here to help you break that cycle and find relief from back pain for good.

Do you notice that your arthritis becomes more painful in the winter? Does it become harder to go about your daily activities? Although cold weather does not cause arthritis, it can aggravate existing aches and pains. According to the Arthritis Foundation, cold temperatures can increase pain sensitivity, slow blood circulation, and cause muscle spasms.

Luckily, there are some things you can do to help alleviate your arthritis symptoms in the winter, including:

• Keep warm. If the winter chill bothers your joints, the best antidote is to bundle up! Layer up with hats, gloves, and scarves. You could also take a warm bath to help your stiff joints.

• Exercise. When you’re in pain, exercise might be the last thing on your mind. But did you know that getting active is the single most effective way to alleviate arthritis pain and keep your joints happy? Exercising can include anything from taking a yoga class to walking around your neighborhood.

• Practice healthy eating habits. Did you know that your diet can contribute to your levels of inflammation and, consequently, how much pain you’re in? Opting for anti-inflammatory foods can significantly improve arthritis symptoms.

If you believe you need some extra help when it comes to pain relief this season, contact Central Physiotherapy. Our dedicated team can help you start feeling better, so you can focus on enjoying the season.