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Winter has arrived and with it the joints become stiffer than usual. Generally, seasonal changes bring a lot of health problems. Similarly, increasing joint pain is also one of them. Your fingers feel tight, your lower hips ache and your elbows make noise.
Also read: Obesity coach warns, this is why your joints hurt whenever you work out: ‘It’s not just a matter of age’
Since joints form the fundamental basis for all movement, even simple daily activities like bending or getting up from a chair can feel like a major challenge.
To find out why joint pain increases in winter, HT Lifestyle got in touch with Dr Dharam P. Pandey, Director and HOD-Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Sciences at HCMCT Manipal Hospital, Dwarka, Delhi. He also highlighted how physiotherapy can help you in such times.
Why does joint pain increase in winter?
During winter, joint pain and stiffness may hamper activities. Physiotherapists explained that this happens because the muscles and tissues around the joints can become stiff due to cold weather. This reduces flexibility and makes activities quite difficult.
Additionally, low air pressure is also responsible, which affects the joints subtly, as Dr. Pandey elaborates, “At the same time, the barometric pressure or the pressure from the air around us usually decreases during winter, which can cause the joints to expand slightly, increasing the discomfort.”
People also reduce their traveling during winter. Due to this, stiffness of joints also worsens. “Less physical activity during the cold months weakens the muscles that support the joints,” said Dr Pandey.
How physiotherapy helps you walk better
Physiotherapy in this case is beneficial for many reasons. Dr. Pandey reminded that physiotherapy helps to restore physical functions and regain control over your body.
So while it may seem like your main goal is to reduce pain, the goal of physiotherapy involves how to improve your body’s function over the long term. Therefore, physiotherapy plays a major role in managing joint stiffness, weakness and pain that occurs during seasonal changes.
Revealing what a physiotherapist does, Dr Pandey said, “A physiotherapist facilitates joint mobility, improves muscle strength, and regains flexibility through appropriate exercises and manual therapy.”
He also names some specific treatments that help reduce inflammation and make daily activities less painful. “Heat therapy, ultrasound and gentle stretching can resolve joint inflammation, promote blood flow and improve comfort while walking for everyday tasks.”
Signs When You Should Visit a Physiotherapist
Dr. Pandey highlights 5 signs when you should visit a physiotherapist:
- Persistent joint pain lasting more than a few days.
- Stiffness or swelling that limits daily movement.
- Pain that increases during activity or after rest.
- Joint instability – feeling as if your joint may become “loose.”
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness around the affected area.
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions you may have about a medical condition.
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