Chiropractor and Cold Weahter Blues

Patients are often confused about their back pain and cold weather. A patient wonders why ice feels good on their back but yet when it’s cold outside their back hurts more. There is a reason for this phenomenon. Colder weather is often associated with low pressure zones. Low pressure causes joints and bones to expand. If the patient has arthritis this joint expansion creates pain.

This is different than using cryotherapy at home during an acute injury. When a patient uses cryotherapy at home this reduces inflammation in the joint. By reducing inflammation in the joint this makes the joint slightly smaller and reduces edema and inflammation around the joint thereby reducing the patient’s pain.

So a patient must understand when it is proper to use heat and when it is proper to use ice. The basic rule of thumb is ice is “nice and hot is not”. This rule is in regard to an acute injury.

An example of this is when a patient sprains or strains his or her ankle. Initially for the first 48 to 72 hours ice should be applied.

An example of a chronic condition may be upper back pain. If the patient has had these aches and pains and they’ve had them for a long time say several years, and there is no radiculopathy are neuropathy. Then it is appropriate to use a moist heating pad.This will reduce pain and increase circulation. If you live in Rolla Missouri and are suffering from back pain consider giving chiropractic care a try. Chiropractic can work wonders for patients with back pain. Getting your joints moving and optimizing your spine is always a healthy idea. Moreland chiropractic clinic has been offering incredible chiropractic care for 23 years in the same great location.