Why does my back feel worse in winter?

Cold temperatures can increase muscle tightness and reduce comfortable motion, and winter routines often involve more sitting and less daily movement—both of which can make back discomfort more noticeable.

Why does my back hurt more after sitting in winter?

Prolonged sitting increases spinal loading, and winter tends to reduce overall activity. When you stand up after sitting, the combination of stiffness and sustained posture can make symptoms feel sharper.

Can winter posture changes affect the upper back too?

Yes. Heavier layers, more driving, and more time indoors can encourage rounding through the mid-back and shoulders, which may contribute to upper-back tightness or aching.

When should I get checked out for winter back pain?

If back pain is persisting, limiting your normal activity, worsening over time, or accompanied by concerning symptoms like progressive weakness or numbness, it’s reasonable to seek an evaluation from a licensed provider.

Can chiropractic care help with winter-related back stiffness?

Chiropractic care often focuses on improving joint motion and mechanical function. For many people, better movement and less stiffness can improve day-to-day tolerance in winter.

Why Your Back Hurts More in Winter

Adult sitting on couch in winter with subtle red highlight on lower back

If you notice your back hurting more when temperatures drop, you’re not imagining it. Many patients tell me their discomfort increases in the winter months. As a chiropractor in Olathe, I regularly see seasonal changes affect spinal stiffness, muscle tension, and overall mobility. If you are dealing with ongoing discomfort, especially in your lower back, our main resource on explains the bigger picture and how chiropractic care can help.

Cold weather can increase back discomfort because muscles naturally tighten when temperatures drop. When muscles tighten, joint movement can become more restricted. Add in shorter days, less outdoor activity, and more time spent sitting indoors, and the spine experiences less motion and more sustained load.

During winter, several factors combine at once. First, cold air reduces tissue elasticity, meaning muscles and connective tissue don’t move as freely. Second, people tend to exercise less. Reduced movement leads to joint stiffness and decreased circulation. Third, heavier coats and layered clothing can subtly change posture, especially when driving or walking. Even small posture changes sustained over time can increase stress on spinal joints and discs.

In addition, winter often means more sitting — on the couch, in the car, or at a desk. Prolonged sitting places compressive load on the lumbar spine. When that pattern continues day after day without enough mobility, discomfort can increase. For some people, this feels like general stiffness. For others, it may resemble patterns described on our page if the mid-back becomes tight from hunching forward.

Common symptoms patients notice during winter include morning stiffness that improves slightly after moving around, aching across the lower back after sitting for long periods, tightness between the shoulder blades, soreness after shoveling snow, discomfort when transitioning from sitting to standing, reduced tolerance for long drives, a feeling of “compression” in the low back by evening, and increased muscle tightness after being outdoors in the cold.

In the office, I often see seasonal patterns such as decreased spinal mobility compared to warmer months, sitting intolerance that worsens throughout the day, discomfort triggered by static postures, or increased muscle guarding after cold exposure. Some patients also report referred sensations into the hips or upper back when joints are restricted. These are mechanical patterns related to load and movement — not something random happening overnight.

FAQ

Why does cold weather make my back feel stiff?
Cold temperatures can cause muscles to tighten and reduce tissue elasticity, which may limit joint motion and increase the sensation of stiffness.

Is winter back pain just muscle tightness?
Muscles play a role, but joint motion, posture, activity levels, and sustained sitting also influence how the spine feels during colder months.

Why does my back hurt more after sitting all day in winter?
Winter often means less overall movement. Prolonged sitting increases spinal compression, and without regular mobility, discomfort can build throughout the day.

Does shoveling snow make back pain worse?
Snow shoveling combines lifting, twisting, and repetitive motion. If spinal mobility is already limited from cold and inactivity, the added stress can increase discomfort.

Can chiropractic care help with seasonal back stiffness?
Chiropractic focuses on restoring joint motion and improving spinal mechanics, which can help reduce stiffness and improve overall movement tolerance.

If you’re dealing with increased back discomfort this winter, we can help. Call our Olathe chiropractic office at 913-735-6351 or click “Schedule Your Visit” to get started.