Can the Cold Weather Cause Back Pain?
Well, I tell ya, getting old ain’t easy. Everythin’ hurts, and when that cold wind starts blowin’, oh boy, it gets worse. You start feelin’ it everywhere, especially in your back. This here back pain, it ain’t no joke. Some folks say it’s just the cold getting to your bones, but there’s more to it than that, I reckon.
So, what happens when it gets cold? Your body, it tries to keep warm, see? It does this funny thing where it squeezes your blood vessels, the little pipes that carry your blood. They get all tight, and the blood, it rushes to the inside parts of your body to keep ’em warm. This means less blood goes to your muscles and stuff around your spine. And when that happens, everything gets stiff and tight, like a rusty old hinge.
- Less blood flow: Muscles and supportive tissues around your spine get stiff and less flexible.
- Tight muscles and ligaments: Cold weather makes muscles and ligaments tighten up, putting extra pressure on your spine.
- Pre-existing back problems: If you already got back problems, the cold just makes it worse, much worse.
I remember my old man, he used to say, “When the wind blows north, my back goes south.” He wasn’t wrong. When those muscles get tight, they put a lot of extra strain on your spine. It’s like carryin’ a heavy sack of potatoes all day long, only the potatoes are inside your muscles. And if you already got a bad back, well, bless your heart, because it’s gonna hurt even more. That cold just makes everythin’ worse, like pourin’ salt on a wound.
And then there’s the colds, you know, the sniffles and coughs. You get a cold, and your back starts hurtin’ too. That coughin’, it shakes you up somethin’ fierce, puts a lot of pressure on your spine. It’s like a jackhammer poundin’ on your back. And all that pressure, it can make your back hurt like the dickens. Plus, sometimes when you cough real hard, you strain somethin’ in your back, and then you’re in real trouble. So, it’s like a double whammy, the cold and the coughin’, both workin’ together to make you miserable.
Now, some folks talk about a “chill in the back.” I don’t know about that, sounds like somethin’ the city folk made up. But bein’ out in the cold, especially when it’s windy, that can sure make your joints stiff and your muscles tight. You ever been out in the barn on a cold winter day? You start movin’ slow, like you got molasses in your joints. That’s what the cold does to you. It just makes everythin’ tighter and harder to move.
So, what can you do about it?
Well, the best thing is to stay warm, of course. Bundle up good, wear layers, and keep that wind off your back. And if you gotta go out, try not to stay out too long. Keep movin’ around, don’t just stand there like a scarecrow. Movin’ helps keep your blood flowin’ and your muscles warm. And if your back’s hurtin’, maybe try a warm bath or a heatin’ pad. That always helps me loosen up a bit.
Here’s a few things that might help:
- Keep warm: Wear warm clothes, layers are your best friend in the cold.
- Stay active: Keep moving to keep your muscles loose and your blood flowing.
- Warm baths or heating pads: Heat helps loosen stiff muscles and ease pain.
- Gentle stretches: If you can, try some gentle stretches to keep your back from getting too stiff.
But you know, sometimes, there ain’t nothin’ you can do but wait it out. The cold weather, it comes and goes, and so does the back pain, most of the time. But if it’s real bad, you might need to see a doctor. They got ways of fixin’ things that we old folks don’t even understand. They might give you some pills or somethin’, or maybe even some exercises to do. Just listen to what they say, and maybe you’ll feel better soon.
Anyways, that’s just my two cents. I ain’t no doctor, just an old woman who’s seen a thing or two. But one thing I know for sure, is that cold weather and back pain go together like peas in a pod. So take care of yourself, stay warm, and don’t let that cold get the best of you.
Discussion about this post