Why Does My Neck Pain Flare Up in Winter?

Neck pain occurs in the cervical spine, the top seven vertebrae of the spinal column. Its causes vary, from a narrowed spinal canal to a structure impinging on a nerve root.

Depending on the cause, neck pain may be ongoing or come and go. If it’s the latter, many people find that it tends to flare up in the winter months. Why is that?

At Interventional Pain Center, Dr. James Stephens offers pain management services, including treatment for neck pain. As winter settles in, we see an uptick in pain complaints, not just in the neck but also along the entire spine. Why? Here, our expert explains.

How winter affects your body

A major contributor to back and neck pain during winter is the change in weather conditions. 

The cold causes your muscles to contract more to generate heat, reducing blood circulation and thereby causing stiffness. This increased muscle tension strains the spine, leading to pain and other uncomfortable symptoms in the neck and back regions.

Anxiety, lack of sleep, and bad posture while sitting at your desk all year round can aggravate muscle aches. But add to that the stress of the winter holiday celebrations and spending less time exercising outdoors, and you have a recipe for pain.

The cold can also affect people with migraine, who are often more sensitive to it than the average person. People living with migraine may also be more sensitive to sudden changes in temperature. The theory is that cold weather can lead to an imbalance in brain chemicals, which may cause a migraine attack.

What the research says

Interestingly, despite plenty of anecdotal evidence, when scientists in Australia and America conducted formal research to establish a link between cold weather and increased pain, they couldn’t find one and concluded no such link exists.

However, there are several plausible theories as to why pain increases in cold weather:

Change in barometric pressure

According to the original supposition, the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the neck and other body regions are sensitive to changes in barometric pressure, such as a drop in temperature. The lower pressure can cause the tissues to expand, leading to stiffness.

In addition, when the atmospheric pressure drops, the fluids that lubricate the joints also expand due to minute gas bubbles. This expansion stretches the sensitive joint capsules, producing pain and stiffness.

Stretching of fascia

Lower temperatures cause different tissues to contract differently from normal and from each other, stretching the sensitive fascia that surrounds them, leading to pain and stiffness. Muscles may spasm, putting pressure on nerves going between them. It’s especially true with neck pain and headaches (occipital neuralgia).

Lack of physical activity

During the winter months, many people stay inside and become less active. Unfortunately, resting instead of using your muscles over long periods causes them to weaken. The muscle fibers shorten and become knotted, leading to stiffness. Stretching and indoor exercise equipment can help forestall any problems.

Restricted blood flow

When exposed to cold weather, your body restricts blood flow to the extremities to conserve heat. This makes the soft tissues around the joints less pliable, leading to stiffness and pain.

If your neck or back pain is flaring up due to the cold winter, it’s time to come into Interventional Pain Center for a solid diagnosis and effective treatment. Call our office at 405-759-8407 or use our online booking tool to schedule a consultation with Dr. Stephens today.