It’s that time of year again. As the end of year begins to roll around, it brings along the colder weather with it. For those with arthritis, this is often the worst time of the year.

Joint fluid has a similar response to cold air as the oil in our car does: as the temperature drops, the fluid becomes thicker and doesn’t move as easily. This can cause arthritic joints to become stiff since they can’t move as freely as they can when they are warm.

Many arthritis patients report a flare up of pain during the colder months. Thankfully there are many options to help alleviate the added discomfort during this time of year, such as laser therapy treatments like the HandyRX. Here are 6 quick tips to help you deal with pain flare ups in the cold weather.  

Dress in Warm, Loose Layers

When it’s cold out, it’s important to layer up with warm, loose layers. Put on a pair of gloves and add layers over your knees and legs. Loose layers help trap body heat and keep joints and muscles warm and allows you to remove layers as you warm up.

Stay Hydrated

Don’t be fooled into skimping on your daily water intake by the cold weather. Although hydration is often emphasized during hot summers, it is just as important in the colder months, especially when dealing with arthritis pain. According to results published in Experimental Physiology, even mild dehydration can increase arthritis pain sensitivity.

Moisturize

Don’t forget to keep your skin hydrated, too! Especially if you experience arthritis flare ups in the superficial (close to the skin) muscles and joints found in your hands. Moisturizer will help keep your skin hydrated to prevent cracking and prevent joint discomfort. You can also find medicated creams, like Aspirin cream, which can help alleviate arthritis pain.  

Soothe Pain with Warm Water

According to the Arthritis Foundation, taking a warm bath can help comfort and sooth muscles and joints. You can also go swimming in a heated pool to soothe joints while also getting some great exercise! It’s important to remember, though, not to go right out into the cold afterwards. You should let your body temperature normalize first.

Keep Your Vitamin D Levels up

Vitamin D is crucial for muscle movement, nerve communication, and fighting inflammation. A lack of vitamin D can also worsen your arthritis and weaken your bones. However, keeping healthy vitamin D levels can be difficult in colder months since the most effective source of vitamin D is the ultraviolet rays from the sun. You can supplement vitamin D levels in the colder months with certain types of food and dietary supplements.

Relieve Pain with HandyRx Laser Therapy Treatment

Laser therapy treatments, like the HandyRX. Laser therapy devices help alleviate arthritic joint pain by combining four different types of energies: low level pulse laser radiation, infrared radiation, visible red light, and static magnetic fields. The devices are non-invasive and are created to be easy to use from the comfort of your own home so that you don’t have to worry about potentially toxic drugs, invasive surgeries, or inconvenient trips to a clinic to get much needed pain relief.

Is the cooler weather affecting your joints and muscles? Beat pain flare ups from the cold weather with the HandyRX. Get your HandyRX online today.