Cold weather in Maryland is no joke – we go from humid, hot days to an almost instant switch to freezing nights, frosted mornings, and snow and ice storms intermittently from November to April. For those with nerve conditions, the winter months of Maryland not only bring the cold, but increased nerve pain due to the plummeting temperatures.
If cold weather triggers your nerve pain, find out why and what you can do about it. Share this resource with friends and family who may be dealing with a new diagnosis, looking for relief after moving to a colder climate, or simply help spread awareness of how cold climates can make nerve conditions more uncomfortable.
Looking for Pain Relief? Contact Neuro Med in Maryland. Now with two offices to serve you better.
Note: Content on neuromedpa.com is not doctor’s advice and should not be taken as such. Always contact your primary care doctor for medical services, diagnosis, treatment, and more.
Nerve Conditions Aggravated by Cold Weather
Every patient experiences their symptoms differently. However, the cold can be a common trigger for these nerve conditions, increasing pain and discomfort for patients in freezing or lowered temperatures.
- Neuropathy
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Fibromyalgia
- Sciatica
- Muscle Pain
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Arthritis
Why Nerve Pain is Worse in the Cold
Why Does Nerve Pain Happen in Freezing Temps?
The body has an instinctive reaction to lowered temperatures; survival instincts kick in to preserve heat and protect the vital organs. However, the side effect of this is that it makes nerves more sensitive to stimuli and sensations. For those with nerve conditions, this increases the pain and discomfort because the nerves are more “awake.”
Nerve Conditions Change in Cold Weather. You May Experience:
- Muscle Stiffness – Stiffness in limbs and joints that makes mobility more difficult
- Loss of Flexibility – Stiffness will also limit flexibility and restrict movements
- Decreased Blood Flow – Blood gets directed elsewhere when the body is cold, leading to enhanced tingling or numbness sensations for nerve patients
- Nerve Sensitivity – If you are already dealing with nerve pain, the sensitivity will increase and respond to more stimuli
- Pain Flare Ups – Overall, it is not unusual for the change in pressure due to temperature fluctuations to cause pain flare-ups
Managing Nerve Pain in Cold Weather
Prioritize Warmth
This can be easier said than done in some Maryland climates, but the overall goal for patients dealing with nerve pain from the cold is to stay as warm as possible. Bundle up in larger sweaters and thick socks; wear gloves, even around the house; bring out the big blankets; invest in space heaters or other warming devices.
Staying warm, inside and outside, will help keep the symptoms of nerve pain in cold weather away, or at least reduce their severity. The warmer the body is, the more comfortable you will be.
- Thick socks
- Layers
- Gloves
- Blankets
- Space heaters
Limit Exposure to the Cold Weather
Being outside in the snow, walking for errands, taking care of pets, and other activities can keep you outside for long periods of time, exposed to cold winds and freezing temperatures. It’s important that, no matter your reason for being outdoors, you limit your exposure time as much as possible.
Breaks, limited exposure, and more can help reduce sensations and protect your conditions from worsening. This is especially critical for patients who experience tingling or numbness consistently and may not be able to tell when the cold has made the sensation worse.
- Take frequent breaks
- Check on tingling or numbness sensations
- Time yourself outdoors as a reminder to go in
Add Exercise and Movement
Cold weather, especially when it causes nerve pain, makes it easy to rest, relax, and limit movement. However, moving less can actually make pain and stiffness worse. This is why it’s important to add exercise to your weekly routine and prioritize daily movements.
Regular movements improve circulation, which dramatically increases blood flow and reduces a lot of the symptoms associated with nerve pain in cold weather. Exercise doesn’t have to be rigorous, but setting up daily reminders to stand, stretch, and incorporate a natural flow can help immensely.
- Yoga
- Treadmill walks
- Swimming in heated pools (check your local fitness studio)
- Light exercise
Don’t Skip Daily Stretches
Start your morning off with daily stretches that move all of your limbs. Not only does this allow you a chance to check in with your mobility and stiffness for the day, but it can also improve your overall pain levels and flexibility.
Bit by bit, opening up your shoulders, neck, knees, back, limbs, and joints will allow you to feel more comfortable. Always do your stretches in warm clothing to help protect your muscles and don’t push yourself too hard. Daily morning stretches with breaks during the day will already be a huge improvement that you will feel.
Hot Showers, Baths, and Compresses
Moist heat is more effective at treating nerve pain in cold weather than dry heat. For example, it’s highly recommended to soak in a hot tub or take a hot shower vs sitting in front of a heater. A hot, wet compress is also more effective than a dry heating pad.
Moist heat is soothing, comforting, and improves circulation while loosening stiff or sore muscles. Daily heat treatments to treat nerve pain in the cold should include a hot shower, warm foot bath, or at least a hot wet compress on the stiffest or most affected areas.
Remember, always monitor the temperature to avoid burns and limit exposure to heat treatments.
Adjust the Diet, Stay Hydrated
Hydration and healthy water intake are critical for combating nerve pain in cold weather. Nerve pain treatments can include holistic and organic approaches, such as changing your diet or practicing mindful eating.
It’s recommended to reduce caffeine intake and focus on anti-inflammatory foods. This may mean more fish and less red meat, along with less coffee. These small changes will help comfort the body and boost natural remedies for pain management due to the cold.
Stress Management
Critical for most patients managing chronic conditions, stress management is especially important when dealing with increased nerve pain from cold weather. Incorporate stress-reducing activities to help manage blood pressure and reduce the effects of stress on the body.
While this may feel redundant or useless, keeping a calm body and mind can go a long way to helping treat nerve pain in cold weather.
- Meditation
- Relaxing hobbies
- Soothing music
- Rest days
- Favorite shows or movies
- Breathing exercises
Professional Input, Medication, and Routines to Help Treat Nerve Pain in Cold Weather
You do not need to manage nerve pain treatment alone. Cold weather can make nerve pain, muscle stiffness, and mobility worse for patients dealing with chronic conditions and other nerve disorders. A professional neurologist can help advise on treatment specific to your condition, lifestyle habits, and overall mobility.
Make an appointment with Neurological Medicine PA in Maryland to get professional advice on how you can treat nerve pain this winter. Don’t sit back and suffer – learn how to help your body manage, cope, and improve in all temperatures. You’ll be surprised at the difference.
Neurological Medicine, P.A.
Neurological Medicine, P.A., provides comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services to patients with conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and muscles. We have been serving the Prince George’s and Montgomery County area since 1975, with two offices: Greenbelt and Laurel. We offer complete adult neurological care as well as in-office neurodiagnostic studies.
