Especially in the colder season
At Don Kelly Physiotherapy and Acupuncture we often see people whose chronic pain — be it in the back, neck, shoulders, hips or throughout the body — seems to worsen when the weather turns colder. In this article we explain why that happens, and how physiotherapy combined with Dry Needling can help you feel better and stay active during the colder months.
Why cold weather often makes chronic pain worse
There are several reasons why colder weather can aggravate chronic musculoskeletal pain:
Muscle and joint stiffness
When temperatures drop, muscles and surrounding soft-tissues tend to become less pliable and more rigid. Reduced blood flow, slower metabolism in the tissues and a natural protective tightening in response to cold can all contribute to greater stiffness.
Reduced activity levels
People tend to move less in colder weather (e.g., outdoor activities drop, we stay indoors more). Less movement means muscles and joints are used less, circulation is reduced, and stiffness and pain can creep in.
Changes in atmospheric pressure / barometric shifts
Some research and clinical reports suggest that shifts in barometric pressure can impact people’s pain perception, especially in joints with previous damage or ongoing pain issues.
Existing trigger points or over-tight muscles become more sensitive
Cold can amplify discomfort from myofascial trigger points (knots of tight muscle) or from muscles that have been compensating for injuries. One study found that combining heat with dry needling produced better long-term pain relief for people with chronic trapezius myofascial pain than dry needling alone.
What this means for you: When the temperature drops, your body’s “default” state shifts a little toward protection → more stiffness → more sensitivity to pain. But the good news is: you can act proactively to reduce and manage this.
What physiotherapy offers for cold-season chronic pain
Physiotherapy (physical therapy) is a key foundation for managing chronic pain, especially when weather and muscle/joint stiffness play a role. Some of the benefits include:
Targeted exercise and movement
A physiotherapist will guide you through stretches, mobility drills and strengthening exercises tailored to your pain pattern and lifestyle. This helps keep muscles active, joints mobile and circulation promoted — which is especially important when you’re less active in colder weather.Manual therapy / hands-on techniques
Techniques such as soft-tissue mobilisation, joint mobilisations, stretching and warming up the tissues help counter the extra stiffness that cold brings. One article emphasises that physical therapy is a “safe and proven solution” for winter-time pain, including developing strategies such as warming the muscles, staying active and addressing joint mobility. Houghton Physical Therapy+1Education & self-management
Your physiotherapist will teach you how to care for yourself in the colder months: how to warm-up properly, dress to keep your muscles warm, maintain movement patterns, avoid prolonged positions, etc. These behavioural tips can make a real difference.Creating a comprehensive plan
Since chronic pain often involves multiple factors — past injury, muscle imbalance, movement patterns, trigger points — physiotherapy allows us to look at the whole system rather than just treat symptoms.
So, physiotherapy helps address the “why and how” of your pain, especially when cold weather is a contributing factor.
How dry needling complements physiotherapy — and why it’s especially useful in the cold
Dry needling is a technique where fine, sterile needles are inserted into tight muscle bands or trigger points (myofascial trigger points) by a trained practitioner. Note: this is not acupuncture in the traditional sense; the scientific basis and application are different.
Here’s how dry needling can help, particularly in the context of chronic pain and colder seasons:
Release of muscle tightness & trigger points
When a muscle has a trigger point, it may be in a state of localised contraction, lower blood flow and higher sensitivity. Dry needling can provoke a “local twitch response”, which helps reset muscle tone and reduce the tension in that area.- Improved blood flow and oxygenation
The needle insertion and resulting reaction can increase local blood circulation, improve oxygen delivery and aid removal of waste products. That matters when cold has slowed circulation or increased tightness. - Reduction in pain sensitivity / improved range of motion
Studies show that dry needling can reduce pain intensity, raise the pressure-pain threshold (the amount of pressure someone can tolerate before experiencing pain), and improve movement. - Synergy with warming / heat + needling
As mentioned earlier, the study on the trapezius found that combining heat + dry needling produced better long-term outcomes than dry needling alone. In colder months when tissues are colder and stiffer, this suggests that warming the area (either before, during or after treatment) enhances the effect of needling
Why choosing Don Kelly Physiotherapy & Acupuncture is a good choice
- I provide integrated care: your treatment will combine physiotherapy (movement, manual therapy, education) and dry needling where appropriate — meaning you get a tailored approach, not just one-size-fits-all.
- Understands how seasonal changes, like colder months or damp weather, affect musculoskeletal pain patterns — and we’ll include seasonal self-care guidance so you’re not caught off-guard.
- Safety and evidence-based practice: We use methods that are grounded in research (e.g., dry needling shown to be effective for trigger-point pain) and we’ll discuss if you’re a suitable candidate. For example, we ensure needling is done by trained practitioners and integrated with your overall plan.
