If you live in a colder climate – or anywhere it happens to be wintertime –you have probably noticed that the cold can seem to worsen your back pain. When temperatures drop, your muscles can feel tighter and stiffer, and it can feel like the cold is seeping deep into your bones. Why does this happen? An orthopedic spine surgeon at Landa Spine & Orthopedic Center provides some answers.
Tighter structures that support the spine
Have you ever noticed that the cold makes your body stiffen up? This response is entirely natural – and it’s also one of the main reasons that the cold can aggravate your back pain. Low temperatures can prompt a reaction known as vasoconstriction, which is a narrowing of the blood vessels in the extremities. The purpose of vasoconstriction is to divert blood to vital areas such as the heart, lungs, and brain to keep them warm. It also causes muscles, ligaments, and tendons to become stiffer. If you’ve ever tried to type or text with icy fingers and found that you couldn’t perform the activity as quickly as usual, vasoconstriction is the reason. It’s also the reason that the structures are supporting your spine stiffen up, placing additional strain on the back.
Swelling and inflammation
There may not be any conclusive scientific studies, but there is an abundance of anecdotal evidence that a drop in barometric pressure can lead to swelling, inflammation, and back pain. Many people swear that they can “feel” when a storm is on its way by their level of back or joint pain. Even with a lack of scientific proof, some too many people have noticed the same thing to ignore. One theory says that when the barometric pressure drops suddenly or the temperature changes rapidly, there is less gravity to keep joints from swelling, especially joints that are already inflamed from an earlier injury or condition. This increased swelling causes the nerves in the area to register pain.
Wintertime depression
Darker, shorter days and colder weather contribute to a phenomenon known as seasonal depression or seasonal affective disorder, which can also lead to or exacerbate back pain. This type of depression can begin in the fall and last throughout the winter. Various factors cause seasonal depression including less sunshine and a drop in serotonin levels. Regardless of the cause, depression can indeed worsen back pain. The reasons range from increased inflammation to excess fatigue to an enhanced perception of pain. Also, when a person is depressed, they may be less inclined to exercise, and this lack of movement can increase fatigue, stiffness, and discomfort.
At Landa Spine & Orthopedic Center, we see many patients each year who experience worse pain in winter. A spine surgeon can determine the cause of your pain and help you choose the best treatment. We offer a range of treatments from physical therapy to minimally invasive spine surgery. If you’re looking for the best spine surgeons in the area, contact Landa Spine & Orthopedic Center today.