Cold Weather and Sciatica
Have you ever thought “my sciatica pain is so much worse when it’s cold outside”? If so, you are not alone and you are definitely on to something. There is a strong link between weather and severity of chronic pain, so you may notice that as the colder weather rolls in, your chronic pain gets worse.
Why is this? As outside temperatures drop, your blood flow decreases, causing your muscles to tighten up. Not only does this increase stiffness in muscles and joints, but it also means more pain when you put pressure on sciatica-affected areas.
Since colder weather causes muscles to stiffen up, you are more prone to injury, and injuries can exacerbate an underlying condition, or increase inflammation which can make your sciatic pain worse.
While we can’t control the weather, there are some things that can be done to prevent sciatica pain when it flares up without adding pain medications to your daily routine.
Keep Warm - Be sure to dress in layers, turn up the thermostat, and keep a blanket nearby.
Stay Active - Even just a few minutes of gentle movement or stretching each day can help keep muscles loose
Be Safe - If you shovel snow, go slowly and don’t overload the shovel. Lift with your legs, not back, and move smaller shovelfuls of snow rather than one or two big heavy ones.
Eat Right - Consume a healthy diet filled with nutrients believed to reduce inflammation in the body
Stay Hydrated - Muscles and jointed need water to help maintain proper function so aim for 8 glasses of water a day
Regardless of the weather, if you are suffering from chronic and debilitating sciatica pain, it’s important to let your doctor know. They can work with you to create a personalized treatment plan to relieve your sciatica. Give us a call today at 609-739-7111 to schedule an appointment.
Not sure if your pain is sciatica? Sciatica is a term used to describe the symptoms of leg pain: tingling, numbness, or weakness. The sciatic nerve runs from the low back, under the buttock, and downward through the hip area into each leg.. While sciatica is not a condition, it is a symptom of an underlying condition like bulging disc, spinal stenosis, or a risk factor associated with poor posture or weight. A medical professional can help provide a diagnosis for your chronic pain.