Why Your Body Feels Stiffer in Colder Weather — And How Acupuncture, Osteopathy & Massage Help You Stay Well This Winter

It’s November, the clocks have gone back, and suddenly everything feels a bit… creaky. Whether you're waking up with a stiff lower back, feeling your shoulders tighten while you're commuting through Clapham, Herne Hill or Kennington, or noticing your immune system isn’t quite as robust as usual, you’re definitely not imagining it — colder weather really does affect how your body feels.

At our therapy centre in Brixton, we always see a surge of clients at this time of year: more aches, more stress, more colds, more headaches, more flare-ups of long-standing issues like period pain or menopausal joint stiffness. The combination of cold, damp weather, darker evenings, and the push toward the end of the year can leave your body working a bit harder than usual.

So why does the cold have such an impact, and what can you actually do to feel more comfortable? Let’s break it down — and share how acupuncture, osteopathy and massage can help you stay healthy and energised through the winter months.

Why your body feels stiffer when the temperature drops

There are a few key reasons people feel more aches, pains and fatigue in November:

1. Muscles naturally tighten in the cold

When you're chilly, your body contracts muscles to conserve heat. That protective tightening might keep you warm, but it can also make your back, neck and shoulders feel tense and achy. It’s one of the biggest reasons people experience more discomfort walking around Clapham Common or cycling through Kennington at this time of year.

2. Old injuries often flare up

Cold weather can reduce circulation to previously injured tissues. Less blood flow = less flexibility. It’s incredibly common for people to say, “My knee hasn’t bothered me all summer, and now suddenly I can feel it again.”

3. Joint lubrication decreases

Synovial fluid (the cushioning fluid inside your joints) becomes thicker in colder temperatures. This is why arthritic joints or postnatal pelvic girdle pain may feel more noticeable in the mornings.

4. Stress levels tend to rise

The run-up to Christmas often means fuller diaries, more deadlines, and less sleep. Stress increases inflammation and muscle tension — which enhances that tight, sore, “winter body” feeling.

How Acupuncture helps you feel warmer, looser, and more energised

Acupuncture is one of the most effective ways to gently encourage the body out of its tense, wintery state. And we’re excited to introduce our new acupuncturist, Alice Brooke, who brings a wealth of expertise in both traditional and modern Chinese Medicine techniques.

Here’s how Acupuncture can make a real difference for you this month:

Improves circulation & warms the body

Many people describe feeling “warmer from the inside out” after treatment. Acupuncture boosts microcirculation, meaning your muscles, joints and immune system get the support they need to function well in cold weather.

Reduces muscle tension

Whether tension sits in your jaw, shoulders, lower back, or hips, acupuncture helps release tight, protective holding patterns — especially useful if you’re hunching against the cold on winter walks.

Strengthens the immune system

November is peak cold-and-flu season. Regular acupuncture can help regulate the immune response, reduce inflammation, and support resilient energy levels.

Helps with stress, sleep and mood

Shorter days can impact sleep, hormones, and overall wellbeing. Acupuncture helps rebalance the nervous system, which can ease symptoms like anxiety, low mood, irregular periods, menopausal hot flushes and night sweats.

Winter offer

To celebrate her joining the team, we’re offering a £10 discount for all new clients booking an acupuncture session with Alice Brooke throughout November.

Why osteopathy is essential in colder months

If your body feels stiff in the mornings or you’re noticing new niggles, osteopathy can be incredibly effective — especially if you’re dealing with:

• persistent lower back pain

• neck and shoulder tightness from commuting

• headaches or jaw tension

• postnatal aches from lifting babies, buggies and bags

• perimenopausal joint stiffness

• old injuries resurfacing

But why does osteopathy work so well in winter?

Encourages mobility when your body tightens up

Osteopaths use gentle joint mobilisation, stretching, and soft-tissue release to help your body return to its natural rhythm and function — even if it’s been clenching for weeks in response to the cold.

Helps prevent injuries before they happen

As we move less in the darker months, muscles become shorter and weaker. Osteopathy helps rebalance the body, improve alignment and support you to move confidently and safely.

Supports the nervous system

Many people don’t realise osteopathy also helps with stress. Gentle cranial techniques can calm the system, improve sleep, and reduce the physical effects of tension.

Massage: the winter essential your body will thank you for It’s easy to think of massage as a treat, but in November it becomes a must-have for staying comfortable and well.

Boosts circulation and keeps your muscles warm

Massage increases warmth and blood flow to cold, tight tissues — which is why so many clients in Clapham and Herne Hill book more regularly once temperatures drop.

Eases tension and helps maintain flexibility

A good massage stops tension from “building up” as you brace against the cold or sit for longer in winter workplaces.

Boosts immunity and reduces stress hormones

Research shows massage can positively influence immune function and lower cortisol — incredibly helpful during cold-and-flu season and the pre-Christmas rush.

Perfect for women’s health support

Massage can help ease:

• menstrual cramps

• perimenopausal back and hip stiffness

• postnatal shoulder/neck tension

• stress-related jaw pain
  

Small changes that help your body cope with winter

Alongside acupuncture, osteopathy, and massage, there are simple habits that make a huge difference:

• Layer up early — don’t wait until you’re already cold

• Move every hour if working from home

• Keep your neck and lower back warm (those areas stiffen fastest)

• Drink warm fluids to support circulation

• Try gentle stretching before bed to calm the nervous system

• Book treatments before discomfort builds up, not after
  

Ready to feel better this November?

If you're feeling the winter stiffness creeping in, you’re not alone — and you don’t have to push through it. A combination of acupuncture, osteopathy and massage can make the world of difference at this time of year, whether you’re dealing with headaches, fatigue, hormonal symptoms, joint pain, stress or a general sense of being “out of sorts”.

And don’t forget:New clients get £10 off acupuncture with Alice Brooke all month.