Want to send joint pain on a vacation this winter?

Joint Pain In Winter

Many of the people reading this must be thinking of this to be a big joke. Isn’t it? But it is not a joke. Because the dipping temperature and chilling weather do take a toll on the health of the people who suffer from the excruciating joint pain. Definitely, there is a scientific reason due to which joint pain aggravates in the winter. The change in the weather most probably causes it. The tendons, muscles and the surrounding tissues of the joints expand as the barometric pressure drops down in the chilly season. This puts pressure on the joints and causes pain.

As it is said “An ounce of prevention is better than an ounce of cure” we should also be aware of our medical condition and take preventive measures to lessen the after effects of it. So we are going to give you some tips to help you fight joint pain this winter and make it pain-free for you.

Be hydrated- We do not realize but as winter approaches our water intake goes on reducing with us not realizing it. Many of us do not know that even mild dehydration can trigger the sensitivity of your pain. Drink at least 2 to 3 litres of water for staying hydrated and to remove the stiffness in your joints.

Vitamin D is your new friend- The lack of vitamin D causes joint and bone pain so covering up its deficiency can definitely reduce your problem. Soaking up some goodness from the sun can give you a good amount of vitamin D. Apart from this include vitamin D rich food in your diet or vitamin D supplements but only after consulting your doctor.

Layer up- The best way to beat the chills is by wearing layers because layering yourself up can ease your joint pain as it acts as an insulator on your body and provides heat to your body. In Nagpur, winter is tough but not as that compared to the northern sides of India. But being on the safer side we should definitely cover up properly making sure to cover our knees, fingers and hands properly.

Shed some sweat- Don't let your body adapt to a sedentary lifestyle because the freezing weather makes us long for a long time in bed along with eating more and not at all indulging in physical activity. But here’s the kicker because if you involve in physical activities in winter your body keeps moving and the joints do not remain in a stationary condition and are mobile keeping the muscles healthy.

Have comforting warm baths- Warmth is what we crave for in this chilly season. And what is better than a warm water bath. It helps to soothe the stiff muscles and joints by stimulating the blood flow. We can also use heating pads or warm compresses to reduce the pain.

Get rid of the “O”- Maintaining a healthy body weight is very important as Obesity can lead to various health issues. Increased body weight exerts pressure on your feet and knees leading to pain. Many times there is a significant improvement in joint pain when the patients undergo exercise and diet for weight loss.

Treat yourself to a professional massage- A massage proves to be very soothing and effective against joint pain. A professional massage every week can help us deal with the pain. Only after we undergo it that we realize how much it helps us to relax our body and reduce the ache we experience.

Make your diet “FISHY”- Omega 3 fatty acids which happen to be present in fish oil is believed to reduce joint pain. But before starting it make sure to consult your doctor for instructions about the dosage. It has certain side effects such as nausea, rashes or indigestion so it’s better to be on the safer side.

Apart from these tips make sure that you definitely make a regular trip to your orthopedic doctor to keep a check on your health. But here’s the kicker. Proper diagnosis plays a major role in treating painful condition. 

And at such a stage being treated with an experienced doctor plays a crucial role. So making sure that you get treated by the best will be best for you. Dr Karan Kishore Mane is one of the best orthopedic doctors in Nagpur who is one of the reputed and experienced doctors who leads the department of Joint replacement, orthopedics and trauma in Icon Hospital. The department provides the best patient care along with prompt services making it one of the best orthopedic hospitals in Nagpur.