Winter Woes; Joint Problems

 

Joint problems are persistent all year round for chronic patients but as is often noticed, joint problems prominently show up during the winters for the general population. People are often found complaining of knee pains, shoulder and back stiffness during the colder months.

The Chief at Sohana Hospital, Mohali, North India’s no.1 multi-speciality hospital, discusses how lack of mobility during the winters is one of the leading reasons why people develop joint pains. Keeping the body mobile and fully functioning can keep the blood circulation in check and lessen the stiffness caused by the cold weather.

Doctors also recommend people to - 

• Putting on adequate clothes and many layers of woolen fabric or as is required to keep oneself warm, should be encouraged.
• A warm water bath is recommended during the winters. 
• Warm oil massages keeps the circulation of the blood regulated. Oils like lavender oil, camphor oil, ginger oil, eucalyptus oil etc. have great healing properties for the healing of the joint and are deemed to be natural joint healers. Heating up the oil on the stove and applying lukewarm over your joints, which is also a great practice encouraged in Ayurveda.
• Consumption of foods which are inherently warm in nature is advised, such foods include, Bajra rotis, mustard greens, turmeric milk, jaggery, Indian gooseberry (Amla), Honey, Sesame, dates, homemade pinnis, and soups. However, portion controlled eating should be encouraged so that the weight of the body does not harm the knees any more than the winter season already has.
• Outdoor exercises to maintain proper weight should be performed during the day in the presence of sunlight instead of cold foggy mornings which can be greatly uncomfortable. Stationary cycles, usage of indoor treadmill, elliptical machine, floor exercises, at home workouts and yoga can be used as great alternatives to outdoor exercises. 

Life during the winters is not easy. Living with chronic joint pain can be very difficult during these winter months. It is important for everybody suffering with such pains to find the best orthopedic doctors around them for proper medical intervention to avoid various problems like spondylitis, broken bones, Bursitis (joint inflammation) etc. Get a consultation from the bestorthopaedic specialist in Mohali.