During the winter, many of us can experience health challenges that make day-to-day life difficult. From colds and the flu to icy falls, harsh weather, or a skiing injury, you can find yourself easily compromised during the season. Fortunately, chiropractic care can help you in many ways during the winter to stay healthy and safe. Visiting a chiropractor during the winter can not only help prevent problems but can also keep you feeling and functioning at your best. Here are a couple of reasons to visit the chiropractor once the temperature begins to drop.
Joint pain relief
Those who experience joint pain throughout the year understand that the weather can greatly influence the pain. This is due to changes in the atmospheric pressure. As the air gets colder, the fluid within your joints moves less freely, making your joints stiff and painful to operate. Not only do your joints stiffen up, but the cold causes your body to contract making your muscles reluctant to stretch. Our chiropractors can help keep stiffness at bay with regular chiropractic adjustments to keep your muscles and joints loose and flexible while reducing any pain caused by cold weather.
Cold and flu prevention
The winter is the height of the cold and flu season, and the time around the holidays can put you at an increased risk of catching bacteria and viruses due to compromised immune systems, stress, sleep deprivation, and over-crowded areas.
Fortunately, chiropractic care can help keep you healthy as chiropractors do much more than simply eliminate pain and stiffness from your body. The spine is the center of your nervous system, which is responsible for communicating with the other systems of your body. One of these systems is your immune system which is responsible for fighting germs, bacteria, viruses, and illness. It is important to keep a healthy and strong immune system. Spinal adjustments can set off a chain reaction, boosting function within the nervous system and strengthening your immune system.
Handling the elements outside
If you know you are going to be spending time outside, it is important to make sure you are prepared. We advise you to dress in layers and wear proper shoes to prevent slips and falls. The layers will not only keep you warm and protected from wind chills, but will also keep your muscles loose and prevent them from contracting and becoming stiff while you are outside.
Remember to warm up before you go outside, even if you will only be out for a while. Warming up before an outside workout or activity can help prevent muscle strain.
If you will be shoveling snow, push the snow in front of you and walk it to the snowbank. Do not throw the snow, as twisting and turning in colder weather can result in muscle strain, spasms, and injury. Bend your knees and allow your arms and legs to do the work instead of your back. Take breaks inside to warm up and rest your muscles and stop immediately if you experience any pain.
Winter Sports
If you are a fan of winter sports, you know how important it is to prevent injury during the cold. With colder temperatures, muscles contract to retain heat which can make activities outside difficult if you are unprepared. Instead, prepare properly for winter and any activities you might find yourself performing outside. Visit our office before any trips to the slopes to make sure your body is loose and in proper alignment and ask about good prevention tips to avoid injury.
Winter sports such as snowboarding or skiing can quickly lead to musculoskeletal injuries, especially with beginners. Fortunately, chiropractic care offers a variety of services available to you to help rebuild your strength and coordination. Chiropractic care allows your body to heal and correct itself naturally without medication or invasive procedures. During the winter, misalignments and dislocations can make it harder for the body to defend and mend itself. With our help, you can ensure that your body will function properly after receiving chiropractic care.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a condition that occurs in many people during the fall and winter months. It is a type of depression that is related to the change of the seasons. The fewer hours of sunlight, colder temperatures, darker days, and many stressors that come with the holidays can be triggers for SAD leading to a drain in energy, motivation, and interest in general activities. People who experience SAD may feel many of the same effects as those with standard depression feel.
Though there is no true cure, chiropractic care can help those with SAD by regulating hormone production with stimulation to the nervous system. The increase in hormone production can help raise levels of serotonin and balance the production of melatonin, which can sometimes get altered for those under the influence of SAD. Spinal adjustment is a good way to fight off SAD as the spine acts as the central nervous system’s line of communication and can help you get better control of your feelings and emotions. Our chiropractors can also offer practical lifestyle changes that may help you handle your symptoms.
Stress Management
Dealing with stress can be difficult without the appropriate resources, especially during the holiday season. Our chiropractors understand how to eliminate stress through a variety of treatments to promote a healthy body and a healthy mind.
There is no denying the cold weather and winter challenges ahead of you. Just as you wouldn’t leave your house without a coat, you shouldn’t leave your body unprepared for the colder weather ahead. Visit us today to start your winter off right. We can help you throughout the winter to reduce pain, maintain your health and wellbeing, and avoid injury. Contact Back to Motion Chiropractic today to schedule your appointment!