Colder weather means some changes to how we exercise. Of course, it’s harder to motivate yourself to get outside for a run or bike ride when the temperature drops, and the shorter days compress our schedules, but there are changes in your body that affect your ability to exercise too. For many people with arthritis or other joint problems, cold weather brings more complaints of pain.
To stay warm, our bodies narrow blood vessels to reduce blood flow to the skin, and more superficial muscles. That means that there is an increased risk of muscle strains in the cold. There is also an increased strain on the heart because of the narrowed blood vessels.
This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t be active outdoors in the cold, it just means you may have to make a few changes to your routine. Here are a few to consider:
Warm up the right way, even in the cold
A good warm-up is always important, but because of the tendency for joints to be stiffer, and blood flow to muscles to be reduced in the cold, it’s even more important that you do it right this time of year. To start, do something to get your heart rate up a bit, maybe a brisk walk or light jog. Next, follow that up with a dynamic warm-up rather than static stretches. This could include walking or jogging while pulling your knees up high to your chest. Maybe some high kicks in front of you with straight knees to get your hamstrings loosened. A walking lunge with an upper-body twist can get your whole body moving. Cater your warm-up to what you have planned in your workout. If you’re not sure how it should look, ask your physical therapist!
Dress accordingly – layer up!
Dressing in layers allows you to adjust your insulation to your activity level. After you warm-up, you might want to take off a layer to avoid getting too hot during your main activity. You’ll have it there later to put back on when your activity level drops and you start getting too cold.
Don’t forget about the sun either – just because it’s cold doesn’t mean the UV rays are gone. Sunscreen and sunglasses aren’t just for the summer. A lip balm with SPF can protect you not only from the sun but from the wind too.
Hydration is just as important in the cold weather
Drink water before, during, and after your workout. The temperature may be down, but you’ll still sweat and you’ll still lose water vapor in your breath. The drier air in winter lets your sweat evaporate more quickly, so it’s easy to underestimate how much fluid you’ve lost. What does this mean? Hydration is just as important in cold weather as it is in the hot summer months.
Cool Down
When you’re done, don’t rush to get inside and crawl under a blanket. Cool down properly. Keep moving with a walk or another form of active recovery to let your heart rate come down. After exercise is the right place for static stretching. You can also head inside for some foam rolling or self-massage.
The days being shorter and the temperatures being lower don’t mean you’re stuck inside for all of your exercise. If you follow these tips, you can safely keep moving outside. If you’d like a customized warm-up or cool down, or have questions about your exercise routine, your physical therapist is a great person to ask!
*Thank you to the APTA Private Practice Section for providing the content for this blog.
Keep Reading…
Heat or Ice – Is one better than the other?
A very common question that patients ask during their physical therapy treatment is whether they should use heat or ice for pain relief. The main consideration before deciding which to use, is determining whether or not inflammation is present in the painful area.
What is inflammation?
SYRACUSE PHYSICAL THERAPIST JULIE BERUBE AWARDED ORTHOPAEDIC SPECIALIST CERTIFICATION
Julie Berube, PT, DPT, of Syracuse, New York, was awarded the professional designation of board-certified clinical specialist in orthopaedic physical therapy (OCS) by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).
To obtain board certification, candidates must submit evidence of 2000 hours of clinical practice in one of nine specialty areas: Cardiovascular and Pulmonary, Clinical Electrophysiology, Geriatrics, Neurology, Oncology, Orthopaedics, Pediatrics, Sports, and Women’s Health Physical Therapy. In addition, candidates must successfully complete a rigorous examination, demonstrating specialized knowledge and advanced clinical proficiency in a specialty area of physical therapist practice. As of 2016, approximately 5% of PT’s in the United States are board certified in orthopaedics, and Julie joins only 2.5% of physical therapists in New York State with an OCS certification.
Physical Therapist Expands Knowledge in Pelvic Floor Evaluation and Rehabilitation
On May 5, 2017 physical therapist Taryn Bader, PT, DPT of Onondaga Physical Therapy attended a full-day seminar in Syracuse, NY titled:
The Fundamentals of Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation
The course was six hours of educational material focused on
What is a diastasis recti?
Diastasis Recti is a condition that typically occurs following a pregnancy in which the two halves of your abdominal muscle splits. There may be a gap you can feel between the walls of the abdomen, usually around the belly button. Occasionally there may be a bulge present, depending on the size of the diastasis.
Can it be fixed?
What is a Physical Therapist Qualified to Treat?
Like most professions, physical therapy continues to evolve as a profession. It is now a 6 year doctorate program. Within that time, we learn to treat people with orthopedic conditions, neurological impairments, cardiac issues, amputations, vestibular issues and more. Physical therapists are trained to work with newborns to geriatrics and everyone in between. After graduation, we have to pass a national test to become licensed to practice. To keep our license active, we have to complete 36 hours of education every 3 years. This is where we can choose courses to better ourselves in our specific setting and learn the most modern techniques! Below is a general (but not inclusive) list of conditions we treat in outpatient physical therapy:
Why Do I feel Like I’m Spinning?
BPPV, or Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo, is a common cause of vertigo, or a false sense of spinning. It is fairly common among adults, with increased incidence as you age. It usually comes on without an apparent reason, however can occur after a head trauma or after spending time in a head tipped back position (such as in a dentist chair). Usually you will first notice symptoms when turning over in bed or when sitting up from bed in the morning.
The spinning sensation occurs due to a mechanical problem in the peripheral vestibular system of the inner ear. This system has calcium crystals called otoconia that sit on a gel-like substance and are sensitive to gravity, as well as three semicircular canals filled with fluid that are oriented in three different planes. In a normal vestibular system, the fluid in the canals moves when your head moves. This displaces hair cells and sends a message to the brain to tell it that your head is moving. Sometimes the otoconia crystals become dislodged into the fluid and give your brain a false signal that your head is moving when it’s not. This results in a spinning sensation, or vertigo.
