22/07/2025
Why Does Cold Weather Make Back and Leg Pain Worse?
If you suffer from back or leg pain — such as sciatica, herniated discs, or arthritis — you might notice your symptoms flare up more often in winter. You’re not imagining it. Colder temperatures can have a real impact on your body.
When it’s cold, your muscles tend to tighten, and your blood vessels constrict, reducing circulation. This can make your joints feel stiff and sore, and increase the sensitivity of nerves already under pressure. Cold weather also discourages us from moving around as much, which leads to stiffness and even more discomfort.
In traditional Chinese medicine, cold is seen as something that can invade the body and block the smooth flow of blood and energy (“qi”), especially in areas that are already weak or injured. That’s why cold weather can be a trigger for old injuries or chronic pain.
So what can help?
Luckily, there are gentle and natural ways to find relief:
• Osteopathy and Massage Therapy can help release tight muscles, improve circulation, and reduce pressure on joints and nerves.
• Acupuncture is also widely used to support the body’s self-healing by improving blood flow and reducing inflammation and pain sensitivity.
• Heat therapy, stretching, and staying active (even light walking) can also keep your body mobile and pain under control.
If you’ve been noticing more pain lately, especially with the colder days, it might be the right time to give your body some extra support.
