Tips for Staying Active in Winter with Arthritis

For people with arthritis, staying active in winter is crucial for managing symptoms and maintaining joint mobility. However, colder weather can make it harder to exercise. This post will cover safe ways to stay active with arthritis in winter.

Challenges of Winter Activity with Arthritis

Cold temperatures make it difficult to stay motivated, and arthritis pain can worsen with reduced movement. Still, regular activity is essential for joint function, especially in colder months.

Safe Ways to Stay Active with Arthritis

1. Indoor Exercises: Low-impact activities like walking indoors, gentle yoga, or swimming are excellent choices. Swimming in a heated pool, in particular, can help relieve stiffness without putting pressure on the joints.

2. Warm-Up Thoroughly: Cold weather makes joints stiffer, so warming up is essential. Start with dynamic stretches to get your blood flowing and reduce pain in joints.

3. Modify Exercises: Adapt your exercises to match your pain level. Listen to your body and focus on movements that don’t cause joint strain, such as modified squats or seated stretches.

Pain Management Techniques

Using warm baths, heating pads, or warm compresses on painful areas before exercising can help reduce stiffness. Additionally, maintaining a joint-friendly diet rich in omega-3s, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory foods can support joint health.

When to Seek Medical Advice

If arthritis pain intensifies, consult a pain or orthopedic specialist. Persistent or severe pain might require additional treatments, such as physical therapy or injections.

Conclusion

Staying active with arthritis in winter can be challenging, but with a few modifications, you can keep your joints healthy and pain-free throughout the season.

Meet Pain Management Physician Dr. Dev Sinha

Dr. Dev Sinha specializes in  back and neck pain medicine and physical medicine and rehabilitation at Garden State Pain & Orthopedics. He uses a comprehensive approach when treating pain, integrating physical and behavioral therapies, medications, and the most innovative, minimally-invasive procedures. He believes in offering alternative medicine therapies for the treatment of difficult-to-treat pain conditions. His expert care is available at four convenient locations in Edison, Clifton, Hazlet, and Jersey City, New Jersey. 

Dr. Sinha attended George Washington University, then earned his Doctor of Medicine from American University of Antigua College of Medicine. He went on to complete his residency and fellowship training in interventional pain medicine at the prestigious University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. During his fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania, he trained with the top physicians in the field of pain management. His dedication to the advancement of the field can be seen through his numerous publications that contribute to the study and treatment of pain medicine. Dr. Sinha lives in New Jersey with his wife, Arpita, and son and daughter. When he’s not in the office, his interests include reading, tennis, skiing, and cooking. If you have any neck or back pain, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Dev Sinha by selecting the book now button.