Back to school- Back to joint pain?
I hope that you have all had a great summer and have managed
to enjoy yourselves. The weather turned out to be quite favourable and there
has been plenty of time to sit in the garden, eat outside and yes -actually get
the barbecue out more than once without having to cook under the shelter of an
umbrella!
As a result, the summer seemed just to fly by and once the
August Bank holiday came and went. I don’t know about you, but I became aware
that the summer evenings were not quite so long and there seemed to be a
distinct chill in the morning air! There
was a definite feeling that it
would soon be time (whether literally or
figuratively )of going back to school, returning to work and preparing for the
darker, colder days of Autumn and Winter.
For many suffering with arthritis the prospect of the colder
weather may also trigger concerns that their condition may worsen, that there is
a supposed connection between weather
conditions and the onset of arthritic symptoms, but is this fact or
myth? Is there any scientific proof that this is the case?
It appears as with a number of articles about arthritis that
the evidence is conflicting and somewhat vague, the
most common theory concerns barometric pressure, that a decrease in pressure
results in inflamed tissue swelling more. Conversely, cold weather may result
in a shrinking of tissue, thus pulling on nerves, which in turn could cause
pain. To read an article click on http://specialtyclinics.med.sc.edu/joint_pain.asp
It may also be that because its cold, we are less likely to
be active outdoors and would much rather sit indoors thus resulting in less
movement, which can lead to our joints becoming less mobile. Cold weather
stiffens muscles, which can be a contributing factor. It should be noted that
only symptoms of pain in joints may be affected by weather and that there is no
evidence that it leads to joint damage.
People tend to exercise less in the colder
months. It is well known that exercise can ease the pain associated with
arthritis as it eases our joints, increases our flexibility and makes us
stronger.
What can you do about it?
Maintaining an active lifestyle throughout the
year is key. Look for opportunities to exercise inside, whether its yoga or
pilates classes or aqua fit sessions in a heated indoor pool. Perhaps you might
want to invest in an exercise bike or a pedal exerciser (exercising from your armchair- fantastic!)
5 – 10 minutes of gentle stretching in the morning can help
relax stiff muscles or some people find a heating pad such as Thermedic helps
to get the blood circulation going through their joints.
Make sure you discuss with your GP or physiotherapist the correct
exercise for you, don’t overdo it and listen to your body.
If it is cold outside and you need to go out, dress warmly
using layers to trap heat close to your body. Ensure that you wear appropriate
footwear to avoid nasty falls on ice or soggy feet whilst walking in the rain.
Eat a healthy and balanced diet. If you’ve seen
our previous blogs on cooking you’ll know that some foods can have an inflammatory
effect on joints. A balanced diet can also boost your immune system. Don’t
forget to stay hydrated!
Sleep- our body’s natural restorative process.
Your joints and muscles will be relaxed and you’ll have more energy which may
help you to feel as if you can manage your pain better.
