Winter pain and circulation support with acupuncture in Lewes
As winter settles in, many people in Lewes notice a familiar pattern: joints feel stiffer, old injuries resurface, the lower back aches more easily and the neck and shoulders tighten despite no obvious change in activity.
This seasonal increase in pain is not coincidence.
In Classical Chinese Medicine (CCM), winter is associated with cold, contraction, and reduced circulation. When circulation slows, pain becomes more likely to appear and more difficult to shift.
Cold, Circulation, and Pain
In Chinese medicine there is a simple principle:
“Where there is no free flow, there is pain.”
Cold constricts tissues and blood vessels.
It slows the movement of Qi and Blood through the channels, particularly in areas that are already vulnerable:
the lower back
hips and knees
neck and shoulders
old injury sites
arthritic joints
When warmth and circulation are insufficient, tissues lose elasticity and nourishment. Pain, stiffness, and heaviness follow.
Why Winter Makes Old Injuries Resurface
Many people are surprised when pain returns in areas that have been quiet for months or years.
In CCM, cold has a tendency to enter and lodge in weakened areas of the body. Old injuries, surgeries, or chronically tense regions are particularly susceptible.
Once cold settles, it restricts circulation further, creating a cycle of stiffness, discomfort, and reduced movement.
This is why winter pain often feels:
deeper
slower to ease
worse first thing in the morning
aggravated by cold or damp weather
Common Winter Pain Patterns
In clinic, winter-related pain commonly presents as:
stiff or aching lower back
sore or unstable knees
joint pain that improves with warmth
heaviness or dull aching rather than sharp pain
reduced mobility on waking
These patterns reflect cold obstruction and circulatory stagnation, not structural damage alone.
Why Movement Alone Isn’t Always Enough
People are often advised to “keep moving” in winter and movement does help.
However, movement without warmth or proper circulation can aggravate symptoms.
Cold tissues do not respond well to force.
What the body needs first is:
warmth
circulation
relaxation of guarded muscles
gentle opening of the channels
Only then does movement become restorative rather than irritating.
How Acupuncture Improves Winter Circulation
Acupuncture in Lewes is particularly effective for winter pain because it:
warms the channels and joints
improves blood and Qi circulation
releases deep muscular tension
reduces inflammation driven by stagnation
supports the body’s ability to adapt to cold
By restoring circulation, acupuncture allows tissues to soften, joints to move more freely and pain to resolve more sustainably.
Many people notice that pain which feels “stuck” or unresponsive begins to shift once circulation improves.
The Role of Massage and Bodywork
For some winter pain patterns, Chinese medical massage (Tui Na) or hands-on bodywork is especially helpful.
Massage can:
warm cold tissues
increase local circulation
release protective muscle holding
support joint mobility
Used alongside acupuncture, it can accelerate recovery and prevent pain from becoming entrenched through the winter months.
Seasonal Care, Not Just Symptom Control
Winter pain is not simply something to endure until spring.
Supporting circulation early in the season helps prevent:
worsening stiffness
flare-ups of chronic pain
reduced mobility
compensatory strain elsewhere in the body
Seasonal care keeps the body adaptable rather than reactive.
Book Acupuncture in Lewes
If pain or stiffness has increased with the colder weather, acupuncture offers gentle, effective support.
👉 Book your appointment to improve circulation, ease winter pain, and keep your body moving comfortably through the colder months.