Joint pain is a terrible thing to have all year long, but it gets exponentially worse during the winter months.
When it's winter outside, everything feels tighter - especially our joints! We're all accustomed enough to have an occasional ache or tightness in these areas. Still, when they occur constantly, there may be something wrong that needs attention before things go from uncomfortable to unbearable.
The cold air can make your chronic joint pain even more unbearable to deal with. Everything is stiff, tender, and achy during this season.
Over the last 24 years of battling rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pain, we have developed our tool kit to get you through winter with less discomfort and more ease. The right tips can be hidden in your daily life so that even if it's cold outside or rainy day-to-day - these simple adjustments will make all the difference!
Soothing baths
When you wake up each morning and feel stiff, it’s not just because of your old age. Instead, the truth is that there are some pretty heavy joints in our bodies- especially if they haven't been moving all night while we slept!
To release this buildup daily (and soothe those nagging aches), try soaking one's self with hot water before getting out of bed; add Epsom salt for extra benefits like relief from inflammation or pain management alongside other natural ingredients such as lavender oil, which helps relax muscles tightly clenched during sleep stress disorder sufferers can find great comfort by taking these steps at first light.
If you don't have access to hot bathing facilities, try taking an early-morning shower instead!
The shower is a great way to wake up with the morning bath. The warm water and steam can help clear your head, as well as get rid of any coldness that has accumulated overnight.
Apply Heat
Painful bones, sore muscles, and joints - a Microwavable heating pad is an excellent alternative to hot baths for people with pain.
SACKSY THYME Microwavable Heating Pad:
This heating pad provides amazing moist heat which penetrates deep into muscles to relieve tension, stress, cramps, tightness and help boost circulation. It can also be used cold- just place it in the freezer for whenever you need cold therapy relief! The Pad is Versatile & is perfect for CRAMPS, BACK ACHE, STRESS RELIEF, NECK & SHOULDER TENSION, SINUS PRESSURE, EAR ACHE, TMJ, KNEES, ELBOWS, BACK Pain, & MORE! Or cuddle with it on a cold night!
Using moist heat and heating pads can effectively ease stiff and aching joints; however, you should exercise great caution. It is advised to apply a heating pad limited to no more than 20 minutes per session and to check the skin for reactions every five minutes. While it may be tempting to sleep with a heating pad, this can be dangerous and may result in burns.
The soothing warmth helps relieve tension by absorbing into your skin or clothing; it reaches the deeper layers of muscle tissue where inflammation lies.
How to Use Heat for Joint Pain
Limiting heat therapy to a maximum of 20 minutes is recommended to avoid skin burns. When using a heated object, placing a barrier, such as a cloth or a towel, between the object and the skin is best. Moreover, heat therapy can be used further after ice's initial application to reduce swelling and inflammation, per Dr. Torres-Panchame.
Be careful and attentive when using a cold therapy pack to prevent injury. Dr. Bose says, "If something feels too hot, it can cause skin burns. Therefore, ensuring that the temperature is comfortable and not too hot is important."
Types of Heat Therapy
Simple, do-it-yourself methods work well, like using a microwaved moist towel or a warm bath or shower. Hot water bottles and reusable and disposable heating pads are easily purchased; some are specially designed for moist heat. Paraffin wax baths may be especially soothing if you have hand or wrist pain. Eddie A. swears by his paraffin wax machine. "It's a great way to keep the heat on you for a little while — and then your hands are lovely and smooth afterward," he says.
Self-care methods such as applying heat, Applying a microwaveable heating pad, and taking a warm bath or shower are effective and efficient. You can buy some Heating pads easily, designed explicitly for moist heat. If you suffer from pain in your hands or wrists, an everywhere herbal heating pad can provide relief.
SACKSY THYME Microwaveable Heating Pad for Hands & Wrist Pain:
This innovative product provides targeted relief to these specific areas, allowing for quick and effective pain management. The heating pad is designed to fit comfortably around the hands and wrists, ensuring maximum coverage and contact with the affected areas. Its microwaveable feature allows for easy and convenient heating, eliminating the need for expensive or complicated equipment.
Safety with Heat Therapy
Dr. Torres-Panchame recommends that individuals check their skin after five minutes and several times during the use of heat. She asserts that if blisters form, the temperature is too high, and heat must be removed to avoid skin damage. This is especially pertinent for those with neuropathy or other conditions that diminish sensitivity to touch and temperature.
Patients not responding to heat therapy should discuss this with their doctor, who may recommend seeing a physical therapist. The physical therapist can provide more intense heat through professional-grade equipment while ensuring safe and effective use in a monitored environment.
Our Sacksy Thyme all-natural aromatherapy heat & cold pack is a great purchase for anyone. It only takes about 45 seconds to warm up, and then you can easily place it wherever you need without needing an outlet to plug it in.
Essential oils
The aromatic compounds of essential oils are known for their powerful scent. However, their effect on mental and physical well-being is more than a pleasant aroma. When applied topically or used in aromatherapy, these compounds enter the bloodstream and can positively impact the mind and body.
Lavender essential oil
Lavender essential oil is widely used in households and other environments to create a calming and pleasant atmosphere. This is because lavender essential oil can help reduce tension and stress levels and its anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain-relieving) properties.
As such, it is an excellent choice for maintaining physical and mental well-being. Furthermore, the lavender essential oil can reduce inflammation around joints when used with a Sacksythyme hot therapy relief lavender heating pad, making it highly beneficial.
SACKSY THYME Hot Therapy relief Microwavable Heating Pad to relief Pain:
The Sacksy Thyme Microwavable Heating pad is the ultimate solution for all types of pain. Whether you are suffering from Joint Pain, muscle soreness, menstrual cramps, or backaches, this heating pad is designed to provide fast and effective relief. With its innovative design and high-quality materials, it offers a convenient and safe way to alleviate pain without any hassle. The Pad is Versatile & it can be used on various body parts, including the neck, shoulders, back, and abdomen.
Eucalyptus essential oil
According to Dr. Deshmukh, eucalyptus essential oil has therapeutic characteristics that can relieve joint and muscular discomfort. Its soothing and cooling properties are known to have anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic capabilities, which can help to reduce tension and offer pain relief.
Stretching
When a person wakes up in the winter, their body can be so stiff that they cannot move. Walking around for a while, though, and stretching out your muscles with exercises such as yoga or Pilates-style stretching movements before sitting down again will help you feel better after waking up early on these cold mornings!
The American College of Rheumatology recommends doing three to five sets a week of stretching exercises if you have been diagnosed with arthritis or another condition that affects your joints.
Flexibility is essential to helping prevent pain, improving the quality of life, and reducing medications needed by patients!
Green tea
The soothing effects of warm drinks are not limited to the summer. Wintertime and cold weather can also be very stressful for people, so we must look at what might help us during these times in our lives when things seem darkest before they come alive again with new life!
Green tea is an especially good option for those with RA due to its anti-inflammatory benefits. It may help soothe painful joints and inflammation all at once!
Tips and Tools for Preventing Stiff, Painful Joints
Here are some winter tips and tools for preventing stiff, painful joints:
- Keep your joints warm. When the temperature drops, your joints can become stiff and painful. To keep them warm, dress in layers when you go outside, and make sure to cover your hands, feet, and ears. You can also use a heating pad or a warm bath or shower to help relieve pain and stiffness.
- Stay active. Exercise can help to keep your joints limber and reduce pain. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week. If you have joint pain, it's important to talk to your doctor about the best type of exercise for you.
- Maintain a healthy weight. Excess weight can cause additional pressure on the joints, resulting in pain and stiffness. Shedding even a small amount of weight, if you're overweight or obese, can help alleviate joint pain.
- Eat a healthy diet. Eating a healthy diet can help to keep your joints healthy and reduce inflammation. Make sure to include plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet.
- Get enough sleep. When you don't get enough sleep, your body produces more of the stress hormone cortisol, which can increase inflammation and pain. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night.
- Use assistive devices. If you have joint pain that makes it difficult to walk or perform other activities, talk to your doctor about using assistive devices, such as a cane or walker. These devices can help to reduce pain and improve your mobility.
- Manage stress. Stress can worsen joint pain. Find healthy ways to manage stress, such as exercise, yoga, or meditation.
- See a doctor. If you have joint pain that is severe or does not improve with home treatment, see a doctor. They can diagnose the cause of your pain and recommend treatment options.
Here are some additional tools that you may find helpful in preventing stiff, painful joints:
- A heating pad: This can help to relieve pain and stiffness in your joints.
- A Cold pack: This can help to reduce swelling and inflammation.
- Compression bandages: These can help to support your joints and reduce pain.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers: These can help to relieve pain and inflammation.
- Prescription pain relievers: These may be necessary if over-the-counter pain relievers are not effective.
- Joint supplements: These may help to improve joint function and reduce pain.
It is important to talk to your doctor before taking any supplements or medications, as they may interact with other medications you are taking.
By following these tips and using the tools mentioned, you can help prevent stiff, painful joints and stay active during the winter months.
The bottom line
Winter can be an especially challenging time for individuals who suffer from chronic pain. As the temperature drops, aches and injuries tend to become more pronounced, making it difficult to complete daily tasks.
However, By Following these helpful tips you can manage these symptoms during the colder months. With the proper care and attention, individuals with chronic pain can find relief and continue to lead fulfilling lives throughout the winter season.
"This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult your physician to determine a treatment plan that is right for you."