Winter in Ontario can be magical with many festivals and activities on the way. Winters here can also be harsh and long alleviating joint pain, stiffness, postural strain, chronic conditions and other health problems. Caring for your body becomes a tad more crucial, especially in the winter. This is where the role of chiropractors comes into play. They address different winter-related health conditions like joint pain, muscle tension, inflammation and discomfort. This blog discusses the top 6 ways why chiropractic care helps in the winter so you can stay healthy and fit throughout the season.
Also Read: Five Most Common Types of Chiropractic Adjustments
Top 6 Benefits of Chiropractic Care in Winters
The cold weather with significant snowfall causes various health problems in Canada. While chiropractic care doesn’t solve all the problems, it can be particularly effective in addressing issues like increased joint pain, injuries from slips and falls and seasonal muscle tension. In other words, chiropractic care in winter allows you to function at your optimum potential pain-free throughout the season.
Now let’s check out the impact of chiropractic treatments during winters.
Keeps joint pain in check
Lower temperatures can cause stiffness in the muscles and joints causing pain and discomfort during movements. It is one of the major reasons why people tend to stay inactive in the winter which in turn worsens the pain. Chiropractic techniques reduce stiffness and maintain the optimum functionality of your joints and muscles. You can stay active and enjoy the season pain-free.
Can chiropractic help with specific joint conditions?
Yes, chiropractors address joint conditions that exacerbate during the winters raising the discomfort and pain levels. Chiropractors help address the symptoms, reduce them and restore your mobility through spinal manipulations and other therapies.
Chiropractors may recommend the best techniques based on your medical history, current symptoms and lifestyle. The most common chiropractic treatments include spinal adjustments, manual therapy, exercise therapy and more.
Reduces strain in the back, shoulders and neck
Postural strain is a common problem all over Brampton during the winter. It causes muscle and joint stiffness and soreness making movements uncomfortable. Chiropractic spinal manipulations keep the spine, neck and shoulders in their right alignment reducing the strain and relieving discomfort.
How can you get a postural strain?
- Repetitive and strenuous winter activities like snow shoveling
- Overuse of muscle injuries during sports
- Sudden awkward falls
- Prolonged sitting on couches or at desks
Chiropractors assess the defects in your posture and apply the right techniques accordingly. They also guide you through ergonomic techniques and stretching exercises that you can do at home and prevent the strain from recurring.
Also Read: How Chiropractors Help Out Patients?
Manages injuries from slips and falls
The snow, ice storms or freezing rain can create slippery roads and sidewalks in the winter. So, this season increases the risk of falls and injuries. People often lose their balance on the slippery icy roads and hurt themselves. Chiropractors can relieve strains, sprains and spinal misalignments that often result from falls. They examine and fix joint misalignments that may have occurred after a fall on the icy road, thereby preventing chronic pain and promoting faster recovery.
Eases muscle tension in the back, neck and shoulders
During winters, the body often ‘tightens up’ to conserve heat. This results in muscle stiffness and tension especially in the back, neck and shoulders. It causes discomfort while movement making even the basic physical activities challenging. Chiropractic treatments like soft tissue therapy and spinal adjustments relieve muscle tension and restore your mobility in the cold weather.
How do chiropractors reduce muscle stiffness?
- They may use spinal adjustments to help realign the spine and enhance blood flow to the affected areas.
- Chiropractors treat the root cause of the tension besides the symptoms.
- They recommend home exercise and lifestyle tips to prevent the stiffness from recurring.
You should visit your chiropractor as soon as you experience the symptoms of muscle tension such as persistent pain and reduced range of motion. The recovery process is shorter if you address the symptoms at an early stage.
Boosts immunity
It is needless to say winter is a season of flu because the cold weather tends to weaken your immunity. Chiropractic care optimizes the functionality of your nervous system and reduces barriers to your immune health. Regular spinal adjustments enable better communication between brain and immune cells, thereby enhancing your overall immunity in the winter.
Chiropractors recommend incorporating a few healthy habits alongside chiropractic treatments for the best results. They may ask you to do certain exercises, follow a proper diet or get specific hours of sleep daily based on your lifestyle and health goals.
Also Read: Physiotherapist or Chiropractor? Which One Should You Choose?
Enhances overall wellness in the winters
Winters can affect both your physical and emotional well-being. Chiropractic treatments can relieve seasonal aches and pains and promote mental relaxation. It provides a natural and non-invasive alternative to treatment for stress relief and pain.
How do chiropractors enhance overall winter wellness?
- Helps the body fight off seasonal illnesses by boosting immunity
- Relieves pain and improves mobility
- Keeps you active thereby overcoming winter fatigue
- Supports mental health through stress relief and body relaxation
The physical strain of snow-related winter activities like snowboarding or snow shovelling can injure your muscles and joints. Similarly, the shorter, darker days in this cold weather can take a toll on your mental health. You can overcome both challenges with consistent sessions with your chiropractor. The common techniques include spinal manipulation, flexion-distraction therapy, soft tissue therapy, and others. The methods are chosen based on your unique conditions, preferences and needs.
Winter Wellness Tips From Experienced Chiropractors
Chiropractic care in winter makes the season more enjoyable in Canada. You can enjoy the festivals and the cold weather keeping joint pain and muscle tension at bay. However, according to the best chiropractors in Brampton, it is important to make some crucial lifestyle changes alongside chiropractic treatments for complete wellness and rehabilitation.
Top 7 self-care tips to maintain wellness in the winters
- Stay hydrated- Drink plenty of water to hydrate your body in the cold weather.
- Follow a diet with nutrient-rich winter foods- Include citrus fruits, root vegetables, leafy greens and nuts in your diet.
- Get 7-9 hours of sleep– Maintain a consistent sleep schedule despite shorter days.
- Maintain a proper posture– Be mindful of your posture and prevent slouching.
- Stay active– Perform indoor exercises as instructed by your chiropractor.
- Practise stress management- Use deep breathing exercises and mindfulness techniques to control your mental stress.
- Dress in layers– Stay warm and comfortable.
Winters are more fun when you feel your best. The above-mentioned tips along with chiropractic care in winter are the way to make the best out of this season. You can enjoy outdoor activities or spend time with friends and family pain-free. There are several well-reputed chiropractic clinics such as Physiotherapy First. You can schedule an appointment with a professional to learn how to stay fit in this season.
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