The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
As Canadians, we are blessed with months of snow and cold temperatures. While many prefer to avoid this blessing altogether and travel to warmer climates, for those of us who stay home, the winter months can provide an unlimited range of exhilarating outdoor activities. Still, facing the bitter cold can be a challenge. "Weather can certainly be a deterrent to winter activity but keeping active throughout the year is extremely important," says physiotherapist Karen Webb. "We also need to be sensitive to the fact that each winter we're a year older and our bodies may not be able to cope as easily with our favourite winter pastimes." Skiing, whether downhill or cross-country, is one of Canada's most popular winter activities. If you are one of the thousands of Canadians who ski every year, there are some common sense tips to avoid the "aprés-ski" pain of stiff muscles and joints: Use proper equipment adjusted to your weight, height and level of expertise. Check before you head out to ensure everything is in working condition. Begin with a good warm-up and stretch before heading out for a day in the snow. Exercise common sense in understanding your own physical limits. Go slowly! Doing too much too quickly can lead to discouragement and muscle strains. If you experience persistent joint pain during or after skiing, ask your doctor or therapist to help you identify the reason. Painful flare-ups following regular exercise could suggest early osteoarthritis. Importantly, arthritis pain and inflammation can be effectively managed so that you don't have to hang up your skis for good. Your doctor can advise you on treatments, ranging from over-the-counter medications like ASA (acetylsalicylic acid) and ibuprofen, to prescription-strength drugs like naproxen. Newer arthritis pain relievers known as coxibs, like Bextra, have been shown to provide effective relief of arthritis pain and inflammation. So as the snow flies and the mercury drops, instead of staying inside and waiting for spring, take advantage of the chance to stay active outside and enjoy all that a Canadian winter has to offer.
