DR. LISA GOODMAN, DC, CCSP, CACCP
As the days grow shorter and the temperatures drop, our routines, and our bodies, shift. The winter season brings cozy mornings, quiet evenings, and fresh snow, but it can also bring stiffness, fatigue, and aches from shoveling or sitting indoors more often. This time of year is a reminder to slow down, check in with ourselves, and care for our bodies intentionally.
Why Winter Can Be Tough on the Body
Cold weather naturally causes our muscles to tighten and blood flow to slow. Add in the physical strain of activities like snow shoveling or jumping back into ski season, and it’s easy to see why winter can leave us feeling sore and fatigued. On top of that, shorter days and less sunlight can affect our mood and energy levels, making it all the more important to nurture both our physical and emotional well-being.
The key is to stay mindful of how our bodies respond to seasonal changes, whether that means recognizing early signs of tension in your back after shoveling, noticing extra stiffness in the mornings, or feeling a dip in motivation or energy.
Movement as Medicine
Gentle, consistent movement can make a world of difference in how we feel during winter. Whether it’s stretching before heading outside, taking short walks during daylight hours, or finding a winter sport that brings you joy, movement helps keep circulation strong and muscles flexible.
When aches or imbalances do show up, care options like chiropractic adjustments, massage therapy, and acupuncture can help restore ease and balance. These therapies support mobility, release muscle tension, and encourage the body’s natural healing responses, all things that are especially helpful when we’re less active or spending more time indoors.
Finding Warmth and Recovery
It’s no surprise that warmth feels good in winter, it also happens to support healing. Therapies like red light therapy work by gently stimulating circulation and reducing inflammation, helping tired muscles recover more quickly. Even something as simple as a warm bath, heating pad, or time in the sauna can help the body relax and reset after time outdoors.
Think of these rituals not as luxuries, but as small acts of maintenance that keep your system resilient through the cold months.
Shoveling Smart
Shoveling snow is almost a winter rite of passage in Colorado, but it can be deceptively strenuous. To protect your back, it helps to:
• Warm up before you start, try a few squats, twists, or gentle stretches.
• Lift with your legs, not your back.
• Take breaks, especially during heavier storms.
• Switch sides often to avoid overuse of one set of muscles.
If soreness or tightness lingers afterward, gentle stretching, hydration, and light movement can help. And if discomfort persists, it may be your body’s way of asking for a little extra support, perhaps through massage or an adjustment to restore balance.
Supporting Mind and Mood
Winter wellness isn’t only about the body, it’s also about caring for the mind. With shorter days and less sunlight, many people notice a dip in energy or mood. Staying connected to your community, getting outside whenever possible, taking extra vitamin D and maintaining small daily rituals of self-care can help keep spirits bright.
Acupuncture, in particular, can be a helpful tool for stress management and emotional balance. By supporting the body’s natural energy flow, it can ease tension and promote a sense of calm, something many of us crave in the winter. Plus, who doesn’t want to spend an hour on a warm table during the coldest months of the year?
Preparing for Winter Sports
If you love skiing, snowboarding, or any of Colorado’s winter sports, this is also the season to think about maintenance, not just performance. Regular stretching, mindful recovery days, and bodywork all help keep joints flexible and muscles strong. The goal is to stay active and enjoy the season without the setbacks of preventable injuries.
Listening Inward
Ultimately, winter invites us to slow down and listen to what our bodies are saying, to how we move and rest, and to the balance we need between activity and recovery. Taking time for yourself, whether through movement, stillness, or supportive care, isn’t selfish, it’s essential.
So this season, as you shovel, ski, or simply settle in by the fire, remember: caring for your body is one of the best ways to care for your whole self. Let winter be a time not only of rest, but of restoration.
Washington Park Chiropractic is the only practice in Denver, CO specializing in Sports Chiropractic, Prenatal Chiropractic and Pediatric Chiropractic. Our Wash Park providers are certified and trained in Sports, Pediatrics and Prenatal Care including massage, acupuncture, Webster Technique, Graston Technique, K-Laser, Kinesiology Tape, Normatec, Shockwave, and MSK Diagnostic Ultrasound.