Some winter discomfort isn’t felt everywhere.
It sits deep in the back as a heavy, tight stiffness that doesn’t fully ease, even when you’re indoors or resting. Many people notice it building quietly through the day rather than arriving suddenly.
This kind of back tension is especially common in desk workers and parents during winter.
Why this builds up in winter
Cold weather encourages the body to huddle. Shoulders lift slightly, breathing becomes shallower, and posture becomes more guarded without us realising.
For people who sit for long hours, this often combines with:
- Limited movement during the day
- Long periods in air-conditioned offices
- Mental stress in the work place
For parents, especially those caring for young children, it often combines with:
- Repeated lifting and prolonged holding
- Fatigue and limited recovery time
- Carrying weight unevenly
Over time, the back takes on more load than it should, and that deep stiffness builds quietly.
Why winter makes it worse
Cold reduces muscle flexibility and slows circulation. When muscles don’t warm up easily, they stay tight for longer.
Even indoors, the body may never fully relax. This is why this kind of back stiffness often feels persistent rather than coming and going.
How osteopathy helps
Osteopathy looks at how the spine, muscles, posture, and breathing work together.
Treatment focuses on:
- Improving movement through the spine
- Releasing deep muscle tension in the back
- Reducing the effects of constant bracing
- Helping the body share load more evenly
As movement improves and tension reduces, that heavy, stiff feeling in the back often begins to ease.
If your back feels tight most days, or discomfort builds as the week goes on, it’s often a sign your body needs support rather than more rest.
Our Movement MOT can help you understand where strain is building and how to support your body through winter.
Movement MOT (noun): A structured assessment of how your body moves, focusing on Mobility, Organisation, and Technique.
Like a vehicle MOT, it’s not about fixing problems after they happen. A Movement MOT helps spot early signs of strain by identifying small restrictions or imbalances before they turn into pain, stiffness, or recurring niggles.
It’s a proactive check-up for your body — especially helpful if you sit for long hours, train hard, are adjusting to the physical demands of parenthood, or simply want to stay ahead of potential issues.
