Joint Pain Relief Products For The Cold Weather

Joint pain can feel like a rusty hinge. Hinges work best when they’re coated with oil; without it, friction increases, and movement becomes stiff and restricted. Our joints operate the same way. Cartilage, synovial fluid and connective tissue act as the body’s natural lubrication. During the colder months, reduced circulation and thicker synovial fluid can limit joint mobility, leading to stiffness and a feeling of restriction.

“Cold weather contracts blood vessels and narrows them to our extremities in order to protect and provide blood flow to vital organs. A less effective circulatory system and the way our body naturally protects our life during cold temperatures contribute to achy joints and challenging mobility,” Raquelle Felder, a licensed physical therapist and founder of San Diego Mobile Rehab and Physical Therapy, told HuffPost.

And while joint pain can affect anyone, 70% of adults ages 50 to 80 naturally experience it as they age, according to a 2022 University of Michigan report. Growing older means we naturally lose some of the key functions that keep the body moving. “Joints are more painful in older bodies due to the natural aging effects of decreased elasticity of tissues, joint cartilage, and joint lubrication,” Felder said. “Older bodies are more likely to feel pain due to decreased muscle strength, causing the joints to stiffen up in order to prevent instability.”

If you’re already suffering from rusty joints, the cold weather adds a new level of discomfort to the equation. That’s why we curated the list below, based on Felder’s advice, to help bring your joints some relief.

The experts consulted for this story do not necessarily endorse the products ahead unless otherwise noted.

Amazon

A deep-release massage ball duo with over 20,000 5-star ratings

“Motion is lotion. Keeping your body mobile with foam rolling or a massage ball could help with tissue elasticity, blood flow and moving with more ease,” Felder suggested. These massage lacrosse balls are an excellent option for addressing joint tension because their solid, rubber design can loosen muscles, promoting ease of movement. The massage balls are sold as a two-pack, weigh 5.1 ounces each and retail for just $8. They come in color pairs including red and blue, green and yellow, pink and purple or orange.

Promising review: “I bought these at the suggestion of my physical therapist. The balls do exactly what they’re supposed to do and help with stretching or releasing pressure with my hip flexors. These are way better than tennis balls or the softer balls that you can buy, which don’t really offer a lot of Relief. For the price these are awesome highly recommend.” — Mippymuppett

Amazon

A cordless heated knee massager

“Heat is a great way to keep your muscles warm and prevent stiffness during the cold months. Think, heated blanket, hot shower and heating pads,” Felder says. Nekteck’s 3-in-1 knee massager is an answered prayer for anyone whose knees make an obnoxious crack when they stand up or sit down. The ergonomic knee brace has five adjustable heat settings and three vibration modes to help you reach your desired comfort level. It is also designed with a strap that allows it to be worn on the knee, shoulder, or elbow, and an automatic shut-off function to maintain safety.

Amazon

This nighttime joint-relieving lotion

Magnum Solace’s nighttime magnesium lotion feels like a warm bubble bath after a long day of dealing with joint pain. That’s because the magnesium and arnica combination helps reduce inflammation, relax muscles and support falling asleep. This hydrating lotion is also formulated with shea butter, vitamin E and grapeseed oil, helping maintain moisture while easing pain.

Promising review: “Works great! I’m perimenopausal, and have hip joint pain and muscle pain in both legs. After three nights, I noticed a significant improvement and was sleeping better. I have sensitive skin, and had no issues. The scent is mild and the lotion absorbs well. Highly recommend… cheers!” — Heather M.

Amazon

Some circulation-boosting compression socks

“Compression stockings are great for individuals with circulation issues, especially in the legs. They can also help with providing compression to the joints for more stability, which could decrease pain,” Felder said.

The Physix Gear knee-high compression socks are made with a nylon and spandex blend, and were designed to make mobility easier and more comfortable by increasing blood flow and reducing swelling. The socks come in eight colorways, and unisex sizes S-XXL.

The socks come highly recommended by Amazon shoppers, with over 66,000 5-star ratings, and rave reviews. “The compression is truly graduated,” one reviewer wrote. “I have no pain or discomfort at the knee, and I do not have any puffing out above the sock, which is amazing, especially since the compression is SO GOOD around the foot and ankle, where I really need it. These are strong, well-made socks, and they stay up without causing pain.”

Amazon

A foam roller set for a nooks-and-crannies muscle reset

This 5-in-1 foam roller set was designed to address the pain lingering in the nooks and crannies of your joints. The set includes a massage roller, a muscle roller stick and a massage ball, all of which can loosen muscles and ease joint tension. They can also increase blood circulation to surrounding tissues, to help with mobility. The set comes in blue, orange, and black, and includes a resistance band and storage bag.

Promising review: “Great product. It helps my lower back pain bu loosening up the muscles.” — Jerome T.

Amazon

This cozy leg massager for circulation

This CINCOM leg massager might look dramatic, but the comfort they provide are worthy the inquisitive stares. The device wraps around your calves and feet, delivering air compression massages to help relieve sore muscles and promote circulation. The massage comes with a handheld controller that lets you adjust settings, including two massage modes and three intensity levels.

Promising review: “Bought this for my husband as a gift and he loves it. He stands all day and has bad knees. He says this product releases the pain in his legs. Pressure is just right. You can change the pressure also which is nice. I also use this for my legs and feet. I have bad circulation. I would definitely buy again.” — Amazon Customer

Amazon

A pocket-ready pain reliever

Voltaren’s arthritis pain gel is a go-to solution for anyone suffering from joint pain, including arthritis. The topical cream is said to reduce stiffness and improve mobility in the hands, wrists, ankles, feet, elbows and knees. The ointment is sold as a two-pack, so you can always have relief at arm’s reach: a 0.7-ounce travel size and a 3.5-ounce standard size. The gel was also previously recommended to HuffPost by doctors for arthritis pain relief.

This arthritis pain gel has over 15,000 5-star ratings on Amazon. Reviewers claim that it works wonders for knee pain and love that it doesn’t have a strong odor. One reviewer said, “This really helps the pain in my knees. The price was right and even after I found some that I forgot I had this is a good size for traveling and my purse.”

Amazon

A heated blanket for comfort

As Felder mentioned, heated blankets are great for staying warm, but they can also provide comfort when your joints are aching. This electronic blanket has six heat levels, from 95 to 119 degrees, and it comes in a bunch of colors and sizes throw to king. It also features an overheat protection function that shuts the blanket off when it becomes too hot.

Promising review: “Love love love! The fabric is so soft and comfortable. I bought the throw size 50″x60″ and it is the perfect size for one person. I usually set it to the highest setting and that works well for me to heat up at night time when it gets too cold. It does shut off automatically which I actually really like as a feature. And it does heat up pretty quickly once I turn it on. I have a different heated blanket from another brand and I’m getting rid of it after finding this SNUGSUN blanket. Highly recommend!”

Amazon

A reviewer-beloved joint solution with arnica

Penetrex’s joint and muscle therapy cream is known for its professional-grade ingredients that provide ease to pesky joint pain. The cream is made with arnica, MSM, vitamin B6 and boswellia, which address inflammation, stiffness and mobility.

The joint and muscle cream is a fan-favorite among Amazon shoppers, with over 63,000 5-star ratings. Reviewers say it works quickly and doesn’t have a smell. One even called it the “best pain item ever purchased,” adding, “Must have item for joint pain knees and shoulder works within minutes. Wouldn’t be able to work without it. Trust me you must try if you are haven’t any joint pains.”

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