Winter Body Pains

As the weather inevitably is starting to get colder, if you have back pain it is important to educate yourself on everything you need to about how this weather will affect it.  So, what do you need to know?

During these cold winter months, it is essential that we are looking after our health as we are more prone to illnesses during this time. One of the main things which affects a large number of the people is back pain, and this also tends to flare up throughout the winter months. One of the ways in which our muscles respond to the colder weather is to stiffen. This is perfectly natural however, if you are someone with a pre-existing back condition, this might affect you. If you are one of these people, chiropractor suggests these simple exercises to loosen up the muscles and ligaments:

• Cobra Stretch – Lie on your front and push yourself up with your arms. Your back should be arched and you should always make sure your feet are together and that you go as high as possible with your shoulders
• Lower Back Twist – Lie flat on your back and bring your knee up to your chest. With the opposite arm, pull your bent leg across to the other side of your body. You should feel a nice stretch on your lower back.
• Lying Lower Back Stretch – Lie flat on your back and use your hands to pull your knees in and up to your chest. Hold this position for at least 15 seconds (as with all other positions).

Another element of the colder weather, which should be kept in mind, is the impact of darkness on your health. Coming to work in the dark and also leaving work in the dark can have an impact on mental health, and may potentially lead to seasonal depression. If this is the case, seasonal depression can also make pain seem worse than it actually is. It might be wise to consider taking some vitamin D3 supplements to ensure that you are getting the nutrients you need.