Georgia’s hot, humid summers are great for swimming and boating, but they can aggravate joint pain caused by arthritis and other medical conditions. If back pain is making it difficult to enjoy life, Georgia Medical Treatment Center can help. See a back pain doctor in Canton to get on the road to recovery.

How Southern Heat and Humidity Impact Back Pain and Joint Health

The link between heat and joint pain is well-established. One reason summer weather is so tough on the joints is because humidity causes you to sweat. This increases blood flow, allowing fluid to leak into the tissues surrounding your joints. Severe humidity can also make it more difficult for your body to release fluid. The extra fluid compresses nearby joints, increasing pain and stiffness.

Some people release too much fluid through sweating, increasing the risk of dehydration. If you’re dehydrated, there’s a good chance you don’t have enough synovial fluid to keep your joints lubricated. Synovial fluid is a sticky substance that reduces friction between the joints.

Barometric pressure also affects the joints, especially in people with arthritis. This is the force of air pushing down on the Earth. Barometric pressure changes based on the altitude, temperature and weather, so it’s common to have pain on some days and not on others.

Recognizing the Signs of Heat-Related Joint Pain Flare-Ups

A healthy spine has 33 vertebrae (small bones) connected by two types of joints. Intervertebral disks absorb shock and allow you to move freely. Facet joints provide stability and help you maintain your range of motion.

These joints are all susceptible to the high levels of heat and humidity in Georgia. If you have a flare-up in one of your facet joints, you may experience these symptoms:

• Pain. Facet joint problems can cause several types of pain. It’s common to feel a dull aching sensation your lower back, along with pain that radiates into the buttocks or thighs. Some people also experience referred pain in the pelvis or abdomen.
• Tenderness. During a flare-up, your back may feel tender to the touch. Even light pressure can cause pain and discomfort.
• Stiffness. Like your knees, ankles and other joints, the facet joints tend to stiffen up after periods of inactivity. If you stay inside to avoid the heat and humidity, try to move around frequently. Movement can help you avoid stiffness in your back.
• Grinding or grating in the joints. Arthritis in the facet joints sometimes causes crepitus, or the sensation that your joints are grinding or grating against each other. You may notice crepitus more often when it’s hot and humid outside.

Disk problems cause many of the same symptoms, but you may also feel sharp or burning pain when you move around. The pain typically gets worse after you sit for long periods of time.

Effective Strategies for Managing Back Pain in Hot, Humid Weather

If hot, humid weather has you sitting on the sidelines instead of doing the things you love, here are a few things that might help:

• Cold therapy. Use an ice pack for 15 to 20 minutes per day to reduce inflammation and pain. Wrap the ice pack in a pillowcase or towel to prevent it from coming into direct contact with your skin.
• Heat therapy. Heat relaxes the muscles, so heat therapy can help with the pain caused by muscle strains. For moist heat, take a hot bath before you go to bed. You can also apply a heating pad to the affected area.
• Over-the-counter pain relivers. Back and joint pain sometimes responds to acetaminophen, ibuprofen and other OTC pain medications. If you’re not sure if these medications are safe for you, check with your doctor first.
• Activity. If your pain doesn’t worsen with movement, try doing some gentle stretching. Moving around as much as possible can help prevent stiffness and discomfort.
• Massage. Consider getting a professional massage to soothe sore muscles and relieve pain. As an added bonus, massage therapy reduces stress.

How Georgia Medical Treatment Center Helps Patients Combat Summer Back Pain

Georgia Medical Treatment Center offers state-of-the-art treatments for back and joint pain. If summer temperatures cause your pain to get worse, we’ll create a custom treatment plan designed to provide lasting relief. GMTC offers several treatment methods, including facet joint injections, lumbar steroid injections and nerve blocks. No two people experience back and joint pain the exact same way, so we tailor every treatment plan to your body’s unique needs.

When to Seek Professional Care for Back Pain During Southern Summers

If your pain persists for more than a few days, or if you have trouble moving due to pain, you need a professional evaluation. It’s also important to visit a back pain clinic if your pain gets worse when heat and humidity levels rise. Contact Georgia Medical Treatment Center to schedule a no-cost consultation with a back pain doctor in Canton.