When we think of winter, there are several things that come to mind: fireplaces, hot chocolate, snowmen…but not all of them are pleasant. Winter also means cold and flu season. We can’t deny the extra sneezing and sniffling we hear during the winter season, and it is important to pay close attention to your health and wellness. Instead of hunkering down this winter, learn how chiropractic care can help you stay healthy.
JOINT PAIN
Ever hear your great-aunt predict a blizzard with her knee pain? Well, she didn’t just make that up. Cold weather can negatively effect your joints and make pain much more intense.
When the temperature drops, the barometric pressure and outside temperature can cause joint fluid to move less freely. That fluid lubricates the joints and helps them function, but colder weather causes joints to become painful and stiff. You read that correctly - your frozen shoulder may actually be caused by cold temperatures!
When you maintain regular chiropractic care, you can restore range of motion and reduce pain to keep your joints moving as they should. At Stiles Chiropractic, we perform gentle and effective joint manipulations to keep that fluid moving freely.
WINTER WONDERLAND??
Have you ever really thought about why so many people join the gym as a New Year’s Resolution? It might have something to do with all those holiday treats, but the weather outside can also be to blame.
It can be easy to fall into a pattern of inactivity during the winter months. Freezing temperatures make it challenging to leave the house, let alone go workout. The lack of movement and activity doesn’t do your health any favors and causes weight gain and added stress to the joints.
When you keep up with chiropractic care, you give yourself a great reason to get out of the house and keep your body performing optimally. This helps prevent health conditions and injuries from slowing you down. As we head in to the New Year, don’t beat yourself up over New Year’s Resolutions you didn’t plan to keep. Instead, focus on moving more (even if it is sit ups during a commercial break or squats when you go to the bathroom). Every little movement counts toward the goal of 20-30 minutes of daily moderate activity.
TAKE THE INITIATIVE
There are several steps you can take to keep yourself active. We want to help you achieve the best health you can, and here a few tips to get you started:
Dress in warm clothes - This one seems obvious, but sometimes we forget a scarf or hat as we run out the door. When you keep your joints and body warm, you protect them from cold temperatures. You also want to wear the right shoes to prevent a slip and fall accident on ice.
Stay active - We can’t stress this one enough! You don’t have to hit the gym as hard as you can every sing day, but try to do some form of physical activity. It might seem hard to make yourself get up and get moving, but your body will thank you.
Eat well - A healthy diet full of vegetables, fruits, lean protein, and whole grains can work wonders and help you reach and maintain your weight loss goals. When you lose extra weight, you reduce stress that is put on your joints and provide your body with the ability to function optimally.
You wouldn’t head out the door without a coat, so don’t face the coldest days of winter without chiropractic. Make your health a priority this year, and your body will benefit for all of 2019!
