Saturday, October 29, 2016

Thursday, October 27, 2016

How Cooler Weather Affects Chronic Pain

How Cooler Weather Affects Chronic Pain

Newsletter from Spine-health November 2016 [link]

Does cold weather worsen your pain? You’re not alone. Although various studies have shown no or very slight associations between pain and weather factors like temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, and wind speed, patient experiences tell a different story. Many people report that damp or cold weather worsens their pain. One study of 800 Europeans with osteoarthritis found that 67% reported that they feel the weather affects their pain levels. (1)

In another small but fascinating study, those who had osteoarthritis reported a greater sensitivity to cold and pressure than control subjects without arthritis—even when parts of the body not affected by arthritis were tested. This suggests to the study authors that chronic pain may alter the way nerves respond to stimuli and increase their sensitivity. (2) If the cold makes your pain worse, try incorporating heat therapy into your daily routine. Heat therapy decreases stiffness and promotes healing through increased circulation.

Here are a few ideas for adding heat to your routine:
• Apply a hot pack, warm towel, or heating pad to the painful area. Simply doing this for 20 minutes at a time may be enough for temporary pain relief.
• Use over-the-counter heat wraps. Available in most grocery stores and pharmacies, heat wraps can provide warmth for joint-related back pain and other symptoms for up to 8 hours at a time.
• Try water therapy. You may experience pain relief by swimming in a heated indoor pool a few times per week, or by soaking a whirlpool or hot bath.
• Stay active. It can be tempting to hibernate during the colder months, but inactivity can increase some types of pain. If you prefer to stay inside, consider getting a treadmill—you can walk while you watch TV or a movie. Weather changes are unavoidable, but you can take steps to manage the worst effects of it.

References:

1. Self-perceived weather sensitivity and joint pain in older people with osteoarthritis in six European countries: results from the European Project on OSteoArthritis (EPOSA). BMC Musculoskeletisord. 2014 Mar 5;15:66.
doi: 10.1186/1471-2474-15-66.
2. Subjects with Knee Osteoarthritis Exhibit Widespread Hyperalgesia to Pressure and Cold. PLoS One. 2016 Jan 25;11(1):e0147526. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0147526.
eCollection 2016.
Learn more:
www.spine-health.com/blog/how-cooler-weather-affects-chronic-pain
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Cowesett Chiropractic: Dr. Rick Jardon
328 Cowesett Avenue
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West Warwick, RI 2893
401-821-6091

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Chiropractic Manipulations

3 Chronic Neck Pain Tips from Chiropractors

Try these 3 simple tips to help you find much-needed relief from chronic neck pain.

http://www.spine-health.com/blog/3-simple-tips-alleviating-your-chronic-neck-pain

Thursday, October 13, 2016

Test your chiro knowledge~!

Test your knowledge about the symptoms, causes, and treatment of lower back pain with this simple four-question quiz.

http://www.spine-health.com/blog/quiz-how-much-do-you-know-about-lower-back-pain

Like us on Facebook at http://facebook.com/chiropractorwestwarwickri

Exercise is Usually Better for Lower Back Pain than Rest

Find out why exercise is typically better for your lower back pain than prolonged rest.

http://www.spine-health.com/blog/importance-aerobic-exercise-easing-lower-back-pain

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Natural Pain Relievers

Finding methods to cope with chronic pain can be exhausting. Try these four natural pain relievers to help alleviate some of your symptoms.

http://www.spine-health.com/blog/4-little-known-natural-pain-relievers

Saturday, October 8, 2016

Is my neck cracking a problem?

Neck cracks are very common, but they can sound alarming. Find out what causes them, and when they might be the sign of a problem.

http://www.spine-health.com/blog/should-i-worry-about-my-neck-cracking

Friday, October 7, 2016

Sciatica Pain Throughout the Day

Painful sciatica symptoms can make it difficult to get through the day. Try these three simple first-aid options to help alleviate your sciatic nerve pain.

http://www.spine-health.com/blog/first-aid-your-severe-sciatica-flare-ups

Thursday, October 6, 2016

Poor Posture = Very Bad

Having poor posture can cause injury to your spine. Learn how to hold and support yourself throughout the day to avoid back pain.

http://www.spine-health.com/blog/poor-posture-causing-your-back-
Below are five simple steps to prevent “tech neck”—neck pain that results from constantly looking down at a handheld device and/or laptop screen.

http://www.spine-health.com/blog/5-simple-steps-prevent-tech-neck

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Seated Hamstring Stretch

This seated hamstring stretch is a gentle way to alleviate lower back pain.

http://www.spine-health.com/blog/gentlest-stretch-your-lower-back-pain

Monday, October 3, 2016

When There's No Getting Rid of Back Pain

Chronic pain can be debilitating and frustrating, but learning how to manage it can help you take control and have better quality of life.

http://www.spine-health.com/blog/when-theres-no-cure-your-aching-back