Baby, It's Cold Outside!

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That is one of my favourite songs of the holiday season but the past few days, it's been really true to life! It has been bitterly cold outside and for some of us it's an excuse to curl up with a cup of hot chocolate and a good movie. For others, this cold weather is wonderful because they get to ski, skate, snowboard or toboggan in the fallen snow. Unfortunately, there are  people for whom the cold weather is not fun at all because they feel achier and stiffer as the weather gets colder and damper.

We all know someone who is a human barometer who they can tell what kind of weather we are going to have simply by which joint is hurting! I have a dear friend who broke his ankle a few years ago, and he always knows if it’s going to rain, snow, or hail. Have you ever wondered why this happens? A possible reason is that your nervous system is meant to help you change according to the environment you're in.

When it’s hot, you sweat because the perspiration evaporates and cools you off. When it’s cold, you shiver because moving your body creates warmth. An injury, like a broken bone or a severe sprain, can affect that joint’s ability to adapt properly to temperature changes. Often, even after the injured joint is healed, the pain flares up during cold or damp weather. One thing to keep in mind is that the cold weather can affect you even if you haven't had a serious injury. Even seemingly minor neck or back pain can lead to increased pain in the winter.

So what can you do? Do you have to live with this every year when winter comes around?  Is the only solution  moving to the south?  There is another option! Getting chiropractic adjustments on a regular basis will keep your spine straight and get your nervous system healthy, which will help decrease your pain and your increased achiness in the cold. As your nervous system and joints get stronger, you won't notice the changes in weather as dramatically.

You may even start to enjoy winter—miracles can happen with chiropractic!