February 2025 Health Newsletter

Winter can be a beautiful time of year, but it also brings unique challenges to our bodies, especially our spines and joints. From icy sidewalks to the cozy couch calling our names, the winter season can wreak havoc on our musculoskeletal system. That's where chiropractic care can play a vital role in keeping you healthy and comfortable throughout the colder months.

Think about it: winter changes our routines. We tend to be less active, bundled up in heavy clothes that can restrict movement, and more prone to slips and falls. All of these factors can contribute to back pain, neck pain, stiffness, and other musculoskeletal issues.

The Cold Truth: How Winter Impacts Your Body

Cold weather can directly affect our joints and soft tissues. When temperatures drop, our muscles tend to tighten up. This is the body's natural response to conserve heat. However, this muscle tension can lead to stiffness, pain, and reduced range of motion, particularly in the neck and back. Think about how you hunch your shoulders when you're cold – that posture puts extra stress on your spine.

Furthermore, the barometric pressure changes that often accompany cold weather can also affect joint pain. People with arthritis or other joint conditions may notice increased pain and stiffness during cold snaps.

Slip, Slide, and…Strain? Winter Hazards for Your Spine

Icy sidewalks and snowy steps are a recipe for slips and falls. Even a minor fall can jolt your spine out of alignment, leading to pain and discomfort. These falls can strain muscles, ligaments, and other soft tissues, causing inflammation and pain that can linger long after the initial incident.Couch Potato or Weekend Warrior?

The Winter Activity Dilemma

Many of us become more sedentary in the winter. Curling up on the couch with a good book or binge-watching our favorite shows sounds much more appealing than braving the cold for a walk or a trip to the gym. This lack of activity can weaken muscles, making them more susceptible to injury.

On the flip side, some people go from being relatively inactive all winter to suddenly engaging in strenuous winter sports like skiing or snowboarding. This sudden burst of activity without proper preparation can also lead to injuries, especially in the back and neck. Whether you're a couch potato or a weekend warrior, your spine can take a hit during the winter.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help You Thrive This Winter

Chiropractic care offers a holistic approach to addressing the musculoskeletal issues that often arise during the winter months. Chiropractors are trained to identify and correct spinal misalignments (subluxations) that can contribute to pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion.

Here's how chiropractic care can benefit you this winter:

• Pain Relief: Chiropractic adjustments can help to relieve pain in the back, neck, and joints by restoring proper spinal alignment and reducing muscle tension.

  
  
• Improved Flexibility: Chiropractic care can improve flexibility and range of motion, making it easier to perform everyday activities without pain.
  
  
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Injury Prevention: By ensuring proper spinal alignment and strengthening supporting muscles, chiropractic care can help to prevent injuries, whether from a fall on the ice or a strain during winter sports.

  
  
• Enhanced Performance: For those who participate in winter sports, chiropractic care can enhance performance by improving flexibility, balance, and coordination.

  
  
• Stress Reduction: Chiropractic care can also help to reduce stress by improving nerve function and promoting relaxation.


What to Expect During a Chiropractic Visit

Your first visit to a chiropractor will typically involve a consultation, examination, and possibly X-rays. The chiropractor will then develop a personalized treatment plan based on your specific needs. This plan may include chiropractic adjustments, as well as other therapies such as massage, exercise recommendations, and nutritional advice.

Don't Let Winter Get You Down – See Your Chiropractor!

Winter doesn't have to be a season of aches and pains. By incorporating chiropractic care into your winter wellness routine, you can stay active, comfortable, and healthy all season long. Don't wait until you slip on the ice or throw out your back shoveling snow. Schedule an appointment with your local chiropractor today and take proactive steps to protect your spine and overall health this winter. Your body will thank you!

For the nearly half of Americans who experience occasional insomnia, and the 22 percent who suffer from the condition nightly, a new survey by the non-profit National Sleep Foundation suggests the key to restful sleep is vigorous exercise. The survey of 1,000 people, conducted by phone and over the internet, indicates that people who exercise regularly have less problems getting to sleep and enjoy a better quality of sleep than those who do not. More than 75 percent of the respondents who reported themselves as working out regularly reported sleeping well, as compared to just over half of the people who reported not exercising at all. Interestingly, both groups reported getting the same amount of sleep; an average of just under seven hours a night during the work week. However, respondents who were physically active reported falling asleep more quickly, experiencing less sleeping problems and needing less sleep to function during the day. The sedentary people reported problems falling asleep at night, staying asleep, keeping awake during the day, taking more naps and exhibiting more symptoms of sleep apnea, a condition that causes breathing problems while sleeping. The experts concluded that even ten minutes of exercise a day could have a significant impact on the duration and quality of sleep.

A review of several studies involving over 70,000 older individuals found that people who take vitamin D and calcium together may live longer than people who do not. The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology, found that participants taking the supplements were 9% less likely to die over a three year period than individuals taking a placebo. Participants were administered 20 micrograms of vitamin D and 1,000 milligrams of calcium per day; both well within the guidelines suggested by US health officials. The reasons for the decline in mortality were unclear, although a decline in both hip fractures and cancer were suggested. Lead researcher Lars Rejnmark, of Aarhus University in Denmark, noted the effect as being comparable to the benefits of blood pressure medications and cholesterol-lowering statins. There was no effect noted by taking vitamin D alone.