Everything Related to Orthopedics
Posts tagged joint pain
Weathering the Weather
0506 days
With all of this winter weather hitting the country hard, it got me thinking about the relationship between cold weather and arthritis pain. Everyone has heard stories about some relative rubbing their knees and saying “Must be some rain coming, my knees are stiff as a board”. Many people also seem to complain about their joints hurting more when the temperature drops. But, is there really a scientific explanation for this?
I did some research online and it looks as though scientists are torn on the subject. Johns Hopkins did a study with arthritis patients to test the relationship between joint pain and weather. While there were some results where patients’ joint pain was affected by the weather, none of the results were sufficient enough to say, predict what type of weather was coming.
Most of the time, patients did experience more pain during colder or rainy weather but I wouldn’t get a moving truck yet. There are plenty of people suffering from arthritis in warm, dry climates. It seems as though your body adjusts itself to the climate you are in, creating a new baseline. Another explanation for stiffness during cold weather is pain thresholds. Most people’s tolerance for pain is lower during the winter months so joint pain may seem worse than it is.
Unfortunately, it seems as though there is no real cure for arthritis except constant exercise and a medication routine. So, unless the cold weather really gets to you, don’t pack up and move to Arizona just for your knees sake!
Tips for Healthier Joints
1698 days
Many people think that joint pain and cartilage wear-down, like getting older, is inevitable. Not everybody ends up with arthritis when they hit their golden years. There are some changes you can make to your lifestyle right now however, that can help fend off that arthritis shadow for as long as possible.
First and foremost – lose weight. In 2005-2006 more than one-third of Americans were obese. These figures are staggering and there is so much good that can come from shedding a few pounds. Extra weight that you carry around on your body adds immense pressure on your joints, especially your knees. Even losing ten pounds can help relieve some of the strain and pain.
Another thing you can do to help fend off joint pain is to make some changes in your exercise routine. Make sure that you always stretch and warm up before exercising. Doing this literally “warms up” your muscles and can help to prevent injury and strain during exercise. Also, make sure you change it up a bit. If you are an avid runner or love the elliptical machine, change it up once or twice a week to something like yoga or water aerobics. Running is a high impact exercise and can wreak havoc on your joints. Give them a break once in a while and your joints will thank you down the road. (more…)
