Feeling a Bit Flat This Winter? You’re Not Alone — And Physio Can Help You Get Moving Again
Now that winter has fully settled in here at Back In Motion Mentone, we’re seeing a familiar pattern among our patients. People are coming in feeling stiffer, more fatigued, and struggling to keep up with their usual movement routines. It’s common to notice flare-ups of old injuries — like neck pain, lower back tightness, or sore knees — and overall motivation to exercise seems lower than usual.
Why Does Winter Affect Us Like This?
There are a few reasons why:
- Less sunlight in winter can lower serotonin and leave you feeling sluggish.
- Cold weather makes us hunch or tense up, causing neck and shoulder tightness.
- We often move less in the cold, leading to stiffness and discomfort.
At Back in Motion, we’re hearing from lots of patients that they’re struggling to keep motivated with regular movement and home exercise programs. This can unfortunately slow rehab progress or cause niggles to become something more serious.
What We’re Treating Most Right Now
Lately at the clinic, we’ve been noticing a few common challenges among our clients:
- Many are experiencing more pain and stiffness through joints in the mornings, especially around the knees, hands, and lower back.
- A lot of people are dealing with sore necks caused by tensing up in cold, poorly heated offices.
- It’s been harder for some to keep up with exercise classes and home programs, with cold weather and low motivation getting in the way.
- Ultimately, some just need a bit of extra TLC, booking in for a massage to help ease the winter tension.
How We’re Helping Patients Through Winter
We’re adjusting treatment plans to fit the realities of winter life:
- Offering more hands-on therapy and tailored exercises to relieve tension and improve mobility
- Modifying exercise programs so they’re achievable when energy is low but still effective for maintaining strength and flexibility
- Helping patients develop small, manageable movement goals — like short walks or simple stretches during breaks — to keep momentum going
- Supporting patients with consistent check-ins and motivation, especially when routines get disrupted
We understand winter can make everything feel harder, so our goal is to meet you where you’re at and keep your body moving safely and comfortably.
Why Even Small Amounts of Movement Matter
Even a quick 10-minute walk around the block or a few simple stretches at your desk can make a big difference. Movement helps to:
- Reduce muscle tightness and pain
- Boost mood and energy by increasing endorphin release
- Improve sleep quality
- Prevent injuries from becoming worse
Time for a Check-In?
If you’ve missed sessions, stopped your home exercises, or just feel like your body isn’t quite right, now’s a great time to come back in or meet us for the first time. We’ll work with you to reassess your goals, get you moving comfortably again, and help you stay on track until spring.
You don’t have to wait for warmer weather to start feeling better. Let’s get you moving and feeling like yourself again!
Author: Hannah Dingli - Physiotherapist
Call us on 03 9583 1149 or book online!