How Can Chiropractic Improve Your Winter Health?

The winter season is upon us! Whether you love or hate this time of year, New Englanders will be dealing with colder temperatures, snow and ice for the next few months.

Beyond the weather events that Mother Nature has in store, winter also wreaks havoc on our bodies. Learn how regular chiropractic treatment can help address common seasonal issues.

1. Keep Muscles and Joints Loose

When you head outside in colder weather, the body’s muscles contract to keep you warm. Joint fluids also thicken in response to frigid temperatures and no longer flow as freely, which can cause discomfort and reduced range of motion.

As the spine and central nervous system work together to keep the body functioning properly, maintaining an aligned spine is one defense against pain and immobility in the wintertime. Regular chiropractic adjustments can remove any interferences to help relieve discomfort and loosen stiff muscles, so you are able to perform daily activities more easily.

2. Soothe Heightened Arthritis Pain

Did you know that our joints can detect and respond to changes in barometric pressure? The amount of air pressure in the atmosphere drops in freezing temperatures, which can make the joints even stiffer, increase sensitivity to pain and slow down blood circulation. This can be especially troublesome for people with arthritis, a degenerative condition that causes inflammation and tenderness of one or more joints.

Getting adjusted by a chiropractor throughout the winter can return your bones to a more normal position, which helps arthritic patients move their joints with less pain and swelling.

3. Prevent Injury During Activities

Falling down on ice and other slippery surfaces is a common winter accident. While there are precautions you can take on your own to prevent this mishap, including proper footwear and taking short strides, working with a chiropractor can help improve your balance.

Our team at The Chiropractic Health Center of Glastonbury can prescribe balance exercises that promote flexibility and strength too. We also provide custom orthotics for patients with poor foot health to help them stand, walk, climb stairs and drive with less pain! Learn more about our Foot Levelers Kiosk.

Snow and ice removal is a necessary evil for property owners – especially those who have back problems. To prevent aggravating an existing condition or experiencing another injury while shoveling, dress properly and warm up before you head outside to get the muscles loose. Once you start shoveling, keep the snow close to your body and only lift small loads to protect your lower back.

Finally, skiers and snowboarders may experience back and shoulder pain that reduces range of motion and puts them at risk for further injury. A chiropractor can teach you warmup and cool down exercises to perform when you’re on the slopes. Spinal adjustments promote the body’s natural healing process to reduce inflammation and increase mobility.

In the event of an injury this winter, our team can help realign your body and rebuild your strength, so you can recover quicker and prevent future damage.
 
To address an injury or improve your wellbeing for the winter season, contact us today!