The cold weather can play a toll on our bodies. When you suffer from joint pain, that cold weather can send you right into a huge load of pain. Whether it’s achy joints due to old age, arthritis, Hip Dysplasia, hypermobility in children or something else, there are ways you can help joint pain during the cooler season of the year. I’ll share some tips that we use with Erin to help her survive joint pain in cold weather. Erin was diagnosed with hip dysplasia or DDH shortly before her second birthday. It was a late diagnosis and with that comes a number of complications. Erin was also diagnosed with hypermobility syndrome when she was three, the name has since been changed to hypermobility spectrum disorders and others call it Hypermobility Elhers Danlos Syndrome (or hEDS) there is lots of overlap at it causes Erin an array of issues and problems.
The cold weather effects Erin in a few ways, it can give her hip pain on her operated side. This is where the joint was cracked open and operated on. As with many so-called ‘invisible illness,’ we often cannot see just how much the condition impacts on lives. Hypermobility in children brings with it many challenges and joint pain in cold weather is one of them. I have written previously about the 8 things you probably didn’t know about hypermobility syndrome to explain how Erin is affected by hypermobility.
What Helps Joint Pain in Cold Weather?
Layer Up
Dress warmer for the cold weather season. If it’s your hands that suffer from joint pain in cold weather, a nice pair of warm gloves can help keep the joints warmer. If your feet suffer from joint pain, consider investing in warmer style boots and socks option that will keep your feet comfortable as well as insulate your joints from the cold weather to help reduce joint pain. Rather than wearing one big jumper we find that several layers work better. They can easily be removed when indoors but added if she starts to feel chilly. Wearing merino wool is known to help keep you warm so invest in some base layers that can be worn under school uniform if the issue is hypermobility in children.
Stay Hydrated
Believe it or not, staying hydrated will help reduce joint pain in cold weather. When we are mildly or severely dehydrated our joints are more susceptible to pain. Livestrong explains this in more detail but if you think of your joints like a sponge, imagine how much more easily two wet sponges can move against one another than two dry, hard sponges. Water also allows waste products to move out of the joints. That’s why it’s important to invest in a water bottle that you can bring along no matter where you go as a means to stay hydrated during the cold weather season. Carrying a water bottle is also more environmentally friendly too, so it is a win win.
Lose Weight
Having too much excess weight can put a lot of strain on your joints. That’s why it’s always good to adjust your lifestyle towards a healthier option to lose weight. You can start a daily workout routine to help build lean muscle too, which will reduce joint pain all year round. Being able to lose weight and build muscle reduces the strain placed on your knees, ankles and even arms so you have lower levels of pain.
Find a Pool
Okay so not all of us can find a heated indoor pool during cold weather, but if you can do it! Many towns have a community center that, with a membership payment, provide you with an indoor heated pool as well as a place to exercise. This is a great way to use your joints and keep them comfortable to reduce joint pain in cold weather. Erin swims regularly and it is great for exercise as its non-weight bearing but helps to keep her joints supple. Swimming was also great for aiding Erin’s recovery from hip dysplasia.
Have a Bath
I will often run Erin a bath once she is home from school, it is a great way to warm up her whole body. Aching muscles and joint pain in cold weather will be eased with warm water. We also use Epsom Salts which offer great benefits and more recently I have used the Green Stem Bath Bombs – this is more expensive but offers lots of health benefits.
Eat for Your Health
Eating a varied diet can also help you manage your joint pain in cold weather. I encourage Erin to get plenty of calcium as this is important for bones and especially for growing children. If they are reluctant milk drinkers a hot chocolate after the bath is often a good opportunity. Pop on a dressing gown, snuggle under the blanket and read a story with a hot choc.
Embrace Hygge
I have throws and blanks readily at hand on our beds but also in the living room that we can snuggle under at any time to keep us warm and cozy. My favourite ever purchase is my luxurious Soft Fleece Grey Throw Blanket, I could not survive winter without it now and it is pretty much used every evening!
Massage
Massage is often underated but can help relieve joint pain in cold weather. You can do this at home with some nice cream or if you have some spare money then visiting a massage therapist is well worth it. With my Erin I regularly massage her legs especially when she has growing pains.
The key to helping joint pain in cold weather is to reduce excess weight, add layers, and stay warm. Do whatever it takes to keep your body hydrated as you work to keep your body temperature up so that your joints don’t feel the immense pain of cold weather during the cooler seasons of the year. Joint pain is real and if your little one suffers with this either due to ddh or hypermobility in childhood try a few different things to see what eases it from them.
One Response
You are a great parent and a generous person! Thanks for sharing your experience with your little angel, how you found ways to comfort her and reliever her of the joint pain during winter and these make complete sense especially keeping the body warm during winter. I like the fact that you take Erin regularly for swimming, thus making her stronger and give the joints the very vital work out.