Dr. Leipzig is a board-certified, Salem, Virginia spine surgeon with over two decades of experience. He specializes in procedures including robotic spine surgery, microsurgical lumbar surgery, disc arthroplasty, minimally invasive spine surgery, and more, serving the greater Roanoke, VA area. To learn more or schedule an appointment, please contact our office.
As the summer fades and the leaves begin to turn, we don warmer clothes and get ready to rake and cut firewood. But what does the change in weather mean for your back pain? Some people feel that their pain symptoms worsen in cooler weather. Here are a few tips that may help you during the fall and winter months:
If you experience an increase in back discomfort this fall, try a daily heat therapy regimen. Applying a heating pad to a painful area for 20 minute intervals can provide temporary relief. Applied heat can lower your stiffness by relaxing the surrounding muscles and increasing blood circulation. If you go outdoors in the cold, be sure to stay bundled up so your muscles and nerves stay warm. By easing muscle contraction around your nerve endings, you can minimize pain.
Swimming in a heated indoor pool or soaking in a hot bath or whirlpool can also provide significant back pain relief. Just be sure to stay warm when you exit the water, so your muscles don’t contract rapidly.
For more athletic types, try to remember to stretch and warm up before any sports activities, especially in the cold weather. If your favorite activity sometimes aggravates your back, you may want to try a new sport. But, if you insist, an over-the-counter pain reliever or anti-inflammatory may help. Also, pre- and post-activity stretching, rest, and heat or ice will also usually help with pain management.
If you experience regular back pain or have had a significant back injury, talk to your doctor about a referral to Virginia Spine Care. Dr. James Leipzig is an award-winning orthopedic surgeon, specializing in minimally-invasive back surgery. Call Virginia Spine Care at (540) 725-9770 to learn more.
