Don't Stiffen Up!

From newswise.com

Amid chilly, icy conditions for many of us during these winter months, it’s good to be aware of how cold weather can impact spine-related injuries and what you can do to manage the pain. Neurosurgeons Grant Arzumanov, DO, and Kevin Zhao, DO; and pain medicine specialist Jagjeet Singh, MD, in the Pain Management Program at Hackensack Meridian Ocean University Medical Center, share some insights. 

Aside from weather-related back and spinal injuries from things like slips and falls, winter sports and snow shovelling, some of the cases we see during the winter months include flare-ups with herniated discs and sciatica conditions. While there’s no direct correlation between a drop in barometric pressure and back pain, cold temperatures can indirectly lead to spinal pain. A drop in the thermometer can cause stiffness in muscles and tendons that support the spine – which can lead to a higher risk of injury and subsequently, acute and chronic pain in the back. 

Tips to keep in mind - Whether going out for groceries, shovelling snow, working outside or having fun, dress appropriately including wearing any protective gear (helmets, glasses, knee pads); breathable, non-restrictive fabrics in layers; and shoes or boots with good tread to help prevent falls and injuries. Warming up your muscles with gentle stretching before venturing out also will help to improve blood flow and reduce risk of muscle stiffness. 

When to seek help - If you have an existing back injury like a herniated disc or sciatica, you may already be familiar with a certain level of pain. If the level of pain you're used to goes beyond what you can tolerate and interferes with regular activities like sleeping, sitting and walking for extended distances, you should see your doctor or a pain management specialist to explore treatment options. If you’re experiencing new back pain due to a fall or extreme activity (like twisting your body from snow shovelling)  you’ll want to get an immediate assessment from your doctor or urgent care centre. They’ll examine you to see if the source of the pain is something considered temporary that can be handled with medications for a brief time, or if it is something more serious and potentially long-term that might require further assessment and specialist care.

What type of help - Because back and spinal injuries can be handled by varied specialists including orthopaedists, orthopaedic surgeons, neurosurgeons and those dealing specifically with pain medicine, it’s tough to know where to start. If your primary care physician or urgent care doctor feels you may need a different level of care, you may want to consider a facility that has a formal pain management program or centre for a comprehensive assessment...If faced with this step, seeking out such a comprehensive program affords an individualized approach to treatment with ease of access to a care team and support services through one program. 

Colder temperatures and unpredictable weather conditions that impact seasonal activities can lead to falls, injuries and pain that impact the spinal cord, thus protecting your spine is essential. Remember, your spine provides critical structural support to the body and provides protection of the spinal cord, which communicates messages from our brains to the rest of our body to control our movements and functions. Any injury along this critical pathway can not only lead to chronic pain, but also impaired movement - including paralysis. So, if you’re faced with back-related pain this season and it’s more than you can tolerate, seek professional guidance. You don’t have to manage it alone.

https://www.newswise.com/articles/don-t-stiffen-up/?ad2f=1&aid=823666