Why Chronic Pain is Worse in the Winter

Winter has long been regarded by some as being a harsh season; shoveling snow, de-icing roads, and a frozen landscape that is void of life. Others see winter as majestic and beautiful – rolling hills of fresh snow and crystalline ice seemingly clearer than glass. For those living in chronic pain, winter can be a source of amplified pain and suffering.

There are two main reasons for increased pain in winter months: colder temperatures and vitamin D³ deficiencies. 

Colder temperatures: Nerves are intolerant to cold temperatures. Cold temperatures can increase nerve irritability. When nerves are irritated, they may send more intense pain signals from the site of an old injury or existing chronic pain condition. If you’ve ever knocked on a door without gloves on when it’s freezing outside you know that cold can make pain worse. Your knuckles hurt just knocking lightly when in the summer you can knock much harder without the pain. 

Winter signals the end of fresh foods and pushes many of us indoors.  Decreased sunlight, the absence of fresh local produce, and physical inactivity can negatively affect the metabolism and thyroid gland; resulting in lower than normal body temperatures. Even the slightest temperature variations in the body can have profound effects on pain.

What to do:

• Exercise every day; if not outdoors, then join a local gym or try a heated indoor pool. Exercise will help regulate body temperature and metabolism.
• Dress warm. Fashionable clothes are not usually the warmest ones. Sacrifice fashion for warmth.
• Eat fruits and vegetables from the produce department at your local grocery. Buy fresh meats from the butcher. Eat nothing processed by man. Stay away from grains and dairy. No sugar!

Vitamin D³: Vitamin D³ is essential to all body functions and plays a very important role in metabolic regulation and the body’s immune system. Our bodies sufficiently make vitamin D³ naturally when exposed to the sun’s rays. Since many of us spend more time indoors during winter, we are not getting the sunlight we need to make adequate levels of this essential vitamin.

According to clinical research, inadequacies of vitamin D³ have been linked to increased musculoskeletal pain, muscle weakness, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, rheumatic disorders, osteoarthritis, migraine headaches, and more.

What to do:

• If you are not exercising outdoors, then consider a high quality vitamin D³ supplement from a trusted brand.
• Eat fruits and vegetables from the produce department at your local grocery. Buy fresh meats from the butcher. Eat nothing processed by man. Stay away from grains and dairy. No sugar!
• Remember, you are the most important factor when it comes to preventing or reducing your chronic pain. Eat right, sleep right and get lots of exercise. It is more difficult to treat chronic pain than it is to prevent it.