Arthritis Tips for Winter Weather

Shanda McNew - PRO PT

Changes in the weather often create noticeable joint pain for individuals with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. While colder weather does not directly cause joint arthritis pain, lower temperatures, precipitation, and decreased barometric pressure often correlate with increased pain and stiffness. If winter weather has your joints distressed, try these tips from a physical therapist for relief during the winter months.

1. Start your day with heat. Use a heating pad, heated blanket, warm bath, or warm shower to increase your joints’ mobility and decrease your pain before you go about your daily activities.
2. Avoid prolonged gripping – as with carrying heavy holiday grocery and gift bags.
3. Keep moving, but keep it pain-free. Consider walking inside a shopping mall, riding a stationary bike at a comfortable speed, or swimming in a warm, indoor pool for some low-impact exercise during the winter months. If exercise causes pain, your body is telling you to lessen the intensity of your activity.
4. Dress appropriately. Layer your clothing when going outdoors. Make sure to cover all arthritis-prone joints (knees, fingers). Wear gloves or mittens.
5. Ask for help with scraping ice off car windshields and shoveling snow. These activities are tough on joints, and can be more painful in the cold weather months.
6. Invest in arthritic gloves. These provide compression and warmth to aching hands. Chemically activated hot packs for your hands can be helpful too. Just make sure not to expose your skin directly to hot packs.
7. Prevent falls. Wear appropriate footwear with traction, and keep an eye out for slick surfaces that could cause you to fall and injure yourself.

The winter weather doesn't mean you're stuck with arthritis pain until spring, try these arthritis tips then call on your physical therapist if you need more relief.