If your knees, hips, low back, neck, or shoulders start complaining the minute the temperature drops, you are not imagining it.

A lot of people notice more aches and stiffness in the winter, especially if they have arthritis, old injuries, chronic tightness, or a job that keeps them sitting (or standing) in one position all day. And while cold weather is not “creating” new damage by itself, it can absolutely turn up the volume on symptoms you already have.

At Elevate, we look at winter pain the same way we look at any pain: it is a signal. Sometimes it is simply your body feeling stiff and guarded. Other times, it is a reminder that an area is not moving well, not stabilizing well, or has been compensating for a long time.

The good news: most winter flare-ups are manageable when you understand what is driving them and take the right steps.

Winter can make staying active feel harder than it does in spring or summer. The days get shorter, the mornings are colder, and it is easy to fall into a routine that involves more sitting and less movement.

But winter is also one of the best seasons to get outside, especially in the High Country and the surrounding areas. The trails are quieter, the air is crisp, and a short hike or walk can do more for your energy and your mood than another afternoon on the couch.

This article has practical ways to stay active during winter, with extra emphasis on getting outdoors safely. Whether you want to stay consistent with fitness, keep your joints from tightening up, or avoid the aches that show up when activity drops, these tips will help you move better all season. Whether you want to stay active for your overall health, keep your back from tightening up, or avoid the aches that creep in when you are sitting more, these tips will help you move better all season.

Dealing with chronic joint pain can really dampen your day, and on a bigger scale, your life. Whether it’s your back, knees, hips, or shoulders, the pain slowly creeps in until it has affected you day-to-day in colossal ways.

At Elevate Chiropractic in Boone, NC, I hear it all the time from prospective patients:

“My low back pain is preventing me from playing with my kids after work.”

“I just can’t go out and run like I used to because of my knee.”

“My health goals are hindered from my hip pain when I’m working out.”

There’s always an accompanying “AND” statement when folks are in pain. Below, I list out some of the most impactful ways to manage your pain both at home and with the help of a rehab professional.

John was a patient of mine at the previous clinic where I worked. He was quite the character, and I always enjoyed my time with him. He was an absolute wild card that seemed to have lived 40 different lives. He was a hardcore runner, windsurfer, and alleged former top dog businessman who traded in the corporate life for the farm life.

At the end of one visit, he pulled out a shark tooth necklace and handed it to me as a gift. He says it was from one of the sharks he “caught” while living in the Keys. If he was making it up, his story was very compelling. I chose to believe him.

Living in Boone means embracing an active lifestyle. Whether you’re hiking the Blue Ridge Parkway, working hard on a slope-heavy job site, or chasing kids through the aisles of the grocery store, you’re using your body every day in demanding ways. But what happens when that movement starts to come with pain?

Too often, people wait until pain becomes unbearable before taking it seriously. But pain is never random. It's your body’s way of telling you that something isn’t functioning the way it should. The longer you ignore it, the more likely it is to interfere with your life, your work, and your ability to stay active.

Pain is a signal that something isn’t working right. At Elevate Chiropractic and Performance Therapy, we work with people in Wilkes, Boone, and the High Country to identify the actual cause of their pain and build a clear path toward long-term improvement. In this article, we’re talking about why it’s important to address pain at its source.

In Boone, having strength and mobility isn’t about being pain-free; it's about living life to its fullest. 

From hiking Grandfather Mountain, hitting the slopes in the winter, or keeping up with your kids around the yard, life in Boone is meant to be active. But what happens when these activities start to slow down, not because they have to, but because your body is telling you to?

Strength and mobility are attributes many people don't think about until they have to. It may start slow - your knee chirps at you during your hike, you find yourself shifting around at work due to some back pain, or your Achilles won’t seem to calm down in between runs.

If you’ve been dealing with nagging pain or recurring injuries, like your low back pain, hip pain, or ankle pain, chances are you’ve already tried something, maybe chiropractic care or traditional physical therapy, or even both. And if you’re reading this right now, the chances are pretty good that you may not have gotten the result that you were looking for. 

Still searching for real pain relief and a lasting solution to your pain? You’re not alone, and that’s exactly why Elevate Chiropractic and Performance was created.

We’re not your typical chiropractor in Boone, NC, nor are we your average physical therapy clinic either. We take a truly unique approach to rehab that blends the best of both worlds to help active adults solve the root of their pain and get back to doing the things they love most.

“So, Dr. Matt, what makes Elevate different?” I’m glad you asked. Here are 6 reasons why Elevate Chiropractic is your premier rehab chiropractor in Boone, NC.