66
NEW JERSEY COPS ■ FEBRUARY 2014
Give back pain the cold shoulder this winter
Dr. Kaixuan
Liu
That time of year is upon us again: the long
lazy days of summer have been replaced by the
cold, dark nights of winter. Unfortunately, the
onset of cold weather can also mean an
increase in back pain, especially for those with
underlying spinal problems. Even if you don’t
suffer from a recurrent back complaint, negotiating icy paths, shoveling snow and spending
time out and about in freezing temperatures
can mean the risk of back injury. But how is
cold weather related to back pain?
1. Increased muscle tension and nerve sensitivity: In cold
weather, muscles tense and tighten around the nerves, which
may result in back pain. In addition, it is not uncommon for
certain nerves to be more susceptible to pain and pressure
changes following an injury, surgery or significant physical
event.
stress on the spine, particularly if carried out incorrectly. Such
activities have been shown to increase the incidence of everything from muscle fatigue to vertebral disc damage and
spinal fractures.
4. Injuries caused by falling: The presence of surface ice
obviously increases your risk of falling. But even if you don’t
fall, you may still subconsciously tense your muscles in an
attempt to avoid slipping, which can result in back strain and
pain.
Tips and tricks for preventing back pain
2. Exacerbation of osteoarthritis: Although the exact link
between cold weather and osteoarthritis is unknown, many
sufferers report exacerbation in joint pain and stiffness that
coincide with a drop in temperature.
1. Warm up before physical activity: In cold weather, your
body increases blood flow to your vital organs in order to
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