When it starts getting a little colder outside, you may notice your lower back, neck, or any previously injured spinal areas ache more. This familiar ache is why many people often link joint and muscle pain to cold or damp weather and end up anticipating achy backs in the winter. While weather can play a part, there are also other factors at play. We’re going to break down how and why different types of weather impact your spine and back.

It’s Not Just The Weather

Many patients travel to warm, sunny Florida to escape colder climes up north during the winter months. However, at The Spine and Scoliosis Center, we see plenty of local patients who will let you know that warmer climes are not a magical cure for chronic back pain. Your body will adjust naturally to any climate you spend a prolonged period of time in. If you’re accustomed to the temperature changes in your area, then it matters less if it’s Vermont or Florida in January – any temperature changes will be noticeable. Back pain will likely increase when the temperature starts to dip lower anywhere in the world. 

Colder Climates Can Exacerbate Risk Of Back Injuries

There isn’t any established connection between barometric pressure and back pain, but more people claim to experience neck, joint, or back pain with sudden temperature drops, or right before a storm. It is possible that these peoples’ bodies are sensitive to changes in the barometric pressure, though there isn’t any scientific evidence. One important consideration is that the tendons, muscles, and ligaments in your body stiffen up and lose flexibility when you get cold – just like with rubber bands. This tenseness can increase your susceptibility to injuries, which may result in back pain. Some ways to decrease your chances of back pain in colder weather include:

• Wearing weather-appropriate clothing
• Stretching regularly
• Staying active
• Lifting properly 
• Being aware of your surroundings so you don’t fall

Gloomy Weather Is Bad For Chronic Pain

Bad weather can impact not just your mood but your overall health. Fewer hours of sunlight and barrage of holiday-related stressors can tax your overall emotional wellbeing, making any pre-existing back pain feel more acute. Depressive symptoms can increase sensitivity to pain. Seasonal depression, or Seasonal Affective Disorder, can exacerbate depressive symptoms and increase overall pain.

You May Be Moving Less

Florida has milder winters than the rest of the U.S., but it can still dip down to the 30s. If you’re a big fan of outdoor exercise, it can be difficult to continue exercising on icy roads or go for a run on a morning where you can see your breath. In some parts of Florida, winter brings a lot of rain, and running or biking on wet roads is no fun. Plus, when it gets dark outside early, you may not have time to go for your usual walk after work. Less exercise and stiffer muscles may result in increased back pain. Try to go for indoor exercises like pilates or swimming. Staying active throughout the year is an important part of maintaining a healthy spine and body.

Contact Us Today

Changing weather may impact your mood, mental health, and your risks of increasing or contracting back pain. Staying active and eating a healthy, nutrient-dense diet can help counter these effects and keep your spine limber and pain-free. The Spine and Scoliosis Center is a top spinal clinic with locations throughout Florida. Call The Spine and Scoliosis Center to schedule an appointment with a spinal specialist today.