How Myotherapy Keeps You Moving in Winter
As the temperature drops, many people start to feel their joints stiffen and their muscles tighten. It’s not your imagination — cold weather can have a real impact on the way your body feels and moves. But don’t worry, winter doesn’t have to mean aches and immobility. Myotherapy is a powerful tool to keep you flexible, pain-free, and active during the colder months.
Why Do We Feel Stiffer in Winter?
When it’s cold, your body tries to conserve heat by reducing blood flow to the skin and extremities. That means muscles and joints don’t get as much oxygen and nutrient-rich blood — making them feel tighter, less responsive, and more prone to stiffness or pain. Add in things like curling up on the couch, skipping outdoor walks, or hunching over a heater, and it’s a recipe for reduced mobility.
This is especially noticeable for people with existing conditions like arthritis, past injuries, or chronic muscle tension.
How Myotherapy Helps
Myotherapy is designed to relieve muscular pain and restore movement, which makes it the perfect support during winter. Techniques such as deep tissue massage, trigger point therapy, dry needling, and joint mobilisation all help to:
- Increase circulation to cold, tight areas
- Loosen stiff muscles
- Reduce inflammation and discomfort
- Improve range of motion
- Prevent winter injuries by maintaining muscle flexibility
Even a single session can bring relief, but regular treatments throughout winter can help your body adapt and stay mobile.
Heat Packs: Your Winter Ally
To support your body between appointments, we recommend using heat therapy at home — and yes, we’ve got you covered. Our high-quality heat packs are available in clinic and are specially designed to soothe tight shoulders, lower backs, and aching joints.
Heat packs help:
- Boost blood flow to sore or stiff areas
- Ease muscle tension and cramping
- Prepare the body for gentle stretching or movement
- Promote relaxation and reduce stress-related tightness
Use them while reading, working at your desk, or winding down before bed. (Just remember: never apply heat to inflamed or injured areas without checking in with your therapist first.)
Move More – Indoors!
You don’t need to brave the cold to stay mobile. Here are some simple indoor mobility tips to keep you limber:
- Stretch first thing in the morning. Gentle movements like neck rolls, shoulder shrugs, and hip circles help “wake up” your joints.
- Take movement breaks. Set a timer every hour to stand, stretch, or walk around your home or office.
- Try online yoga or mobility classes. Just 10 minutes a day can make a big difference.
- Breathe deeply and move with intention. Winter is a great time to slow down and focus on quality of movement over intensity.
Other Ways to Stay Warm and Ease Stiff Muscles
In addition to heat packs and myotherapy, there are several great ways to keep your body warm, relaxed, and pain-free in winter:
🔴 Infrared Heat Therapy
Infrared heat penetrates deeper into muscles than traditional surface heat. Some clinics and gyms offer infrared sauna or infrared lamp treatments, which can:
- Improve circulation
- Reduce muscle stiffness
- Promote recovery and relaxation
You can also buy portable infrared heating pads for home use — ask us if you’re interested in recommendations.
💧 Hot Water Bottles
A classic for a reason! Hot water bottles are excellent for targeted warmth — especially for the lower back, abdomen, or feet. Just be sure to wrap them in a towel to avoid burns, and don’t fall asleep with them directly on the skin.
🔌 Electric Blankets & Heated Throw Rugs
Perfect for keeping warm while you rest or sleep. Maintaining overall body warmth helps prevent muscles from tightening overnight. Heated throws are also a cozy companion for couch stretching or evening relaxation.
🚿 Warm Showers or Baths with Epsom Salts
Start or end your day with a warm shower or soak. Adding Epsom salts can help relax muscles, ease cramps, and calm the nervous system. Follow it up with some gentle stretching or self-massage using a spiky ball or foam roller.
Keep Moving, Stay Warm
Stiff joints and tight muscles don’t have to be your winter norm. With the right support — both in the clinic and at home — your body can feel strong, relaxed, and mobile year-round.
Book your myotherapy session online today and ask about our heat packs to take home — your muscles will thank you.
