Open Your Eyes - Snow Patrol
There are conditions affecting the body that can flare up in Cold Weather, and with winter approaching soon, it is important to understand what can be done to ease the symptoms of these flare ups.
Pain when getting out of bed in the morning, or when picking up a child are not necessarily an inevitable consequence of the ageing process. Often people will give up activities that are dear to them due to the Pain they feel. In cold weather, this pain/ache/stiffness can be exacerbated. In cold weather, joints in the extremities (arms and legs) do not receive as healthy a blood supply as in warm weather. Pain receptors are also more sensitive in cold weather, and a drop in barometric pressure can cause inflamed tissues to expand and become even more painful.
Joints are formed when two bones meet, connected together by strong bands called ligaments. Muscles attach to the bones by bands called tendons, and the muscles facilitate movement of the body. Healthy joints are surrounded by a joint capsule, and gaps in the joint are filled by fluid-filled sacs called bursae. Within the joint capsule, the bones are lined by a smooth cartilage and synovium that serve to protect the joint and reduce friction during movement.
The two main types of inflammatory conditions commonly known to flare up in cold weather are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). OA is the type of arthritis that gets worse as the day progresses, and as the joint is used more. The inflammation generally occurs as a result of cartilage degeneration. RA is an autoimmune disease characterised by chronic pain and stiffness in the peripheral joints, worst in the morning and can last throughout the night. With this type of arthritis, the pain generally eases with use of the joint.
Now the question is, what can be done to manage and potentially reduce the inflammation and pain? In cold weather, it is more important to wrap up and wear extra layers, especially protecting the hands and feet with gloves and extra socks. Aside from this, it is important to control diet, with particular regard to 'inflammatory' foods. This involves reducing the intake of fried foods, red meat, saturated fats, soft drinks, fruit juices and sugars. Instead of these, it is recommended to consume dark green vegetables, vitamins C and E, raw nuts and seeds, omega-3 rich fish and soups made from raw ingredients. The avoidance of ready-made packaged meals is important!
If you are having arthritic pain and flare ups associated with this, or have any muscular or joint pain or stiffness, it may be worthwhile coming to see us at Hashim Saifuddin Osteopathy, where we can explain your problems to you, why they occur and whether or not you are suitable for osteopathic treatment. Often this can be done via email or on the phone.
Visit http://www.hashim-osteopathy.co.uk/ for more information or feel free to email me on [email protected]
There are conditions affecting the body that can flare up in Cold Weather, and with winter approaching soon, it is important to understand what can be done to ease the symptoms of these flare ups.
Pain when getting out of bed in the morning, or when picking up a child are not necessarily an inevitable consequence of the ageing process. Often people will give up activities that are dear to them due to the Pain they feel. In cold weather, this pain/ache/stiffness can be exacerbated. In cold weather, joints in the extremities (arms and legs) do not receive as healthy a blood supply as in warm weather. Pain receptors are also more sensitive in cold weather, and a drop in barometric pressure can cause inflamed tissues to expand and become even more painful.
Joints are formed when two bones meet, connected together by strong bands called ligaments. Muscles attach to the bones by bands called tendons, and the muscles facilitate movement of the body. Healthy joints are surrounded by a joint capsule, and gaps in the joint are filled by fluid-filled sacs called bursae. Within the joint capsule, the bones are lined by a smooth cartilage and synovium that serve to protect the joint and reduce friction during movement.
The two main types of inflammatory conditions commonly known to flare up in cold weather are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). OA is the type of arthritis that gets worse as the day progresses, and as the joint is used more. The inflammation generally occurs as a result of cartilage degeneration. RA is an autoimmune disease characterised by chronic pain and stiffness in the peripheral joints, worst in the morning and can last throughout the night. With this type of arthritis, the pain generally eases with use of the joint.
Now the question is, what can be done to manage and potentially reduce the inflammation and pain? In cold weather, it is more important to wrap up and wear extra layers, especially protecting the hands and feet with gloves and extra socks. Aside from this, it is important to control diet, with particular regard to 'inflammatory' foods. This involves reducing the intake of fried foods, red meat, saturated fats, soft drinks, fruit juices and sugars. Instead of these, it is recommended to consume dark green vegetables, vitamins C and E, raw nuts and seeds, omega-3 rich fish and soups made from raw ingredients. The avoidance of ready-made packaged meals is important!
If you are having arthritic pain and flare ups associated with this, or have any muscular or joint pain or stiffness, it may be worthwhile coming to see us at Hashim Saifuddin Osteopathy, where we can explain your problems to you, why they occur and whether or not you are suitable for osteopathic treatment. Often this can be done via email or on the phone.
Visit http://www.hashim-osteopathy.co.uk/ for more information or feel free to email me on [email protected]
Thanks for reading!
Hashim Saifuddin (M.Ost DO ND)
GOsC Registered Osteopath
Osteopathy / Sports Osteopathy
Hashim Saifuddin (M.Ost DO ND)
GOsC Registered Osteopath
Osteopathy / Sports Osteopathy
