Chiropractic : A Winter Necessity

When you think of winter, there are some things that just come to mind: snowmen, open fires, chestnuts roasting, and the flu. There is no denying that the winter season is a time of year to pay extra attention to your health and wellness. Did you know cold weather presents some unique challenges to your health beyond the arrival of cold and flu season? Instead of hiding out this winter, consider how chiropractic can help you stay healthy this winter.

Joint Pain

Remember how your grandma’s knee pain was a great way to predict a snowstorm? Well, that’s not just something she complained about. Cold weather really does have an impact on the joints and can make joint pain worse.

As the temperatures drop outside, the barometric pressure and temperature outside cause the fluid in your joints to move less freely. That fluid usually acts as a lubricant to help joint function, but when cold weather hits, your joints become painful and stiff. You read it right - your frozen shoulder may actually be the result of freezing temperatures!

Chiropractic adjustments can help keep your joints moving freely, and restore your range of motion and reduce pain. Here at Williamsburg Chiropractic, we perform gentle and effective adjustments to the joints to help the fluid do its job.

Walking in a Winter Wonderland?

Have you ever stopped to think about why the most popular New Year’s resolution seems to be joining a gym? It’s not just because of all those holiday cookies and greats! The weather outside is partially to blame, too.

Inactivity is common for many in the winter months. Cold temperatures make it difficult to convince yourself to leave the house, let alone go to the gym. This lack of movement and activity has an impact on your health, causing weight gain and added stress on your joints.

With regular chiropractic care, you give yourself an excuse to leave the house and keep your body performing optimally so that health conditions and injuries don’t set you back. This year, skip the New Year’s resolutions that don’t really get kept anyway, and make a commitment to yourself to move more, even if it just means walking in place for a few minutes during a commercial break or doing squats when you get up to use the bathroom. Every little bit counts toward your 20-30 minutes of moderate activity each day!

Steps You Can Take

There are quite a few steps you can take to keep yourself active this here. We want to help your body function as it should, and for you to enjoy optimal health. Here’s what you can do:

• Stay active - Take part in some form of physical activity in the winter (check out these tips), no matter how hard it might seem.
• Wear warm clothes - Keep your joints and body warm and protected from freezing temperatures. You also want to be sure to wear the right footwear, so you don’t risk slipping and falling in icy conditions.
• Eat well - A well-rounded diet full of whole grains, lean protein, fruits, and vegetables can help you to accomplish your weight loss goals and maintain them. That will take some of the stress off your joints and provide your body with what it needs to function as it should.

You wouldn’t head outside without your coat, so don’t head into the coldest days of winter without chiropractic. Be proactive this winter, and your joints will thank you for the year to come!