If you’ve been worried about the return of your back pain in colder
weather, don’t be. A recent study conducted in Australia and published in the
Arthritis Care & Research Journal concluded that there’s not the connection
between cold weather and back pain that was previously thought.[1]
In 2011 and 2012, researchers studied 993 cases of sudden, acute back
pain in primary care clinics, and also gathered weather information.[2]
They looked at the weather conditions that were occurring when patients first
noticed back pain, and then compared it to conditions one week and one month
before onset of the pain.
After comparing all of their data, the researchers found “no association
of temperature, relative humidity, barometric pressure or precipitation with
episodes of pain.”[3] The only
things that affected the risk of back pain—ever so slightly—were wind speed and
gusts.
It’s important to note that back pain was the only type of pain looked
at in this study, and their conclusions do not apply to arthritis,
fibromyalgia, or other diseases.
Chris Maher, a professor at the George Institute for Global Health at
the University of Sydney, suggests focusing on the aspects of pain you actually
can control: carefully lifting
objects, avoiding standing for too long a period of time, getting healthy
amounts of physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding
stress as much as possible. “Rather than worry about the weather,” Maher says,
“worry about these other things, which you can change.”[4]
Also, remember that maintaining proper spinal alignment and structure
through chiropractic care will lead to improved function, health, and wellness,
as well as a decrease in pain.
“Working to restore GOD’s perfect
design in you!”
[1] Steffens D, Maher CG, Li
Q, Ferreira ML, Pereira LSM, Koes BW, and Latimer J. “Weather does not affect
back pain: Results from a case-crossover study.” Arthritis Care & Research
2014. DOI: 10.1002/acr.22378
[2] Bakalar N. “Weather May
Not Affect Back Pain.” Well Blog, New York Times, July 16, 2014.
[3] Id.
[4] Id.
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