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OrthoRehab - Edina Physical Therapists

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It seems like the colder temperatures are here to stay in Minnesota, and while many of us embrace the winter weather, for others this season can exacerbate some underlying health issues. We want you to remain active during the winter months, and if colder temperatures are contributing pain and discomfort, let us help. In fact, a number of conditions that are caused or worsened by a dip in temperature respond well to physical therapy. In today’s blog, we explore five cold weather-related health conditions that can be effectively managed with the help of physical therapy.

PT For Cold Weather Injuries

Let’s explore some of the ways that colder temperatures can affect our body, and explain how physical therapy can help counter these potential issues.

  1. Joint Pain – For many, the cold weather brings with it an increase in joint pain. The synovial fluid that lubricates our joints tends to become a little thicker when we’re cold, meaning joints are less mobile, especially after an extended period of limited activity. This joint discomfort or stiffness can lead you to become less active, which only further exacerbates the issue with your joint. Physical therapy can help maintain joint flexibility and strength, and we can also teach you some simple movement exercises to help keep joints mobile when you’re not at the clinic.
  2. Winter Sport Injuries– The cold weather also means that we will soon have the ability to go skiing, sledding or ice skating on the lake. These winter sports can be a blast, but they also send thousands to the emergency department every year. Many injuries that you might suffer during winter athletics respond well to physical therapy. Strains, concussions and fractures all stand to benefit from physical therapy, and we can also put you through a conditioning and strength training program to help prepare you for the rigors of your winter sport, decreasing your likelihood of an overstress injury.
  3. Tension Headaches– Colder temperatures can cause our muscles to constrict, and if certain muscles in your neck and shoulder region are regularly tight and tense, it can lead to the onset of tension headaches. These headaches can also be brought on by muscle tension related to our body’s fight or flight response to stress, and we all know that the holiday season can be stressful. Physical therapists can gently work to relieve muscle tension, strengthen nearby structures and improve your posture so that static stress is less impactful on these muscle groups.
  4. Respiratory Conditions– Some people find that their respiratory conditions worsen when they are forced to breathe cold air, and we want to help prepare your lungs for the season to come. Respiratory exercises and deep breathing techniques can help you regain more control over issues like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Let us help you breathe easier this winter.
  5. Slip And Fall– Finally, the colder weather also inevitably means that snow and ice will begin to accumulate on walkways, driveways and other areas we need to traverse. One misstep on a patch of ice can lead to a painful slip and fall. Ankle sprains, ankle fractures, tailbone fractures, shoulder dislocations and concussions are all common during a winter slip and fall accident, but we can help to ensure that function is restored in these areas as healing runs its course.

Whether you’re dreading or excited for the winter weather, know that it will be here for a couple months in Minnesota and that the team at OrthoRehab Specialists is here to help you navigate it as needed. Let us help you conquer the winter season and overcome cold weather-related issues. For more information, or for help with a different physical condition, reach out to the team at OrthoRehab Specialists this winter at (612) 339-2041.

Dr. Andy Masis, PT
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