Lower Back Pain in Cold Weather: Why It Can Feel Worse in a Halifax Winter
Published 4 November 2026
Every November, as the wind picks up off the harbour, many people in Halifax ask me: "Why does my back feel worse now?" Lower back pain in cold weather is something many people describe.
In this article I'll share what is known, how Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) looks at it, what a visit involves, and two things you can try at home.
Can Cold Weather Make Your Lower Back Hurt?
The Arthritis Society, quoted by CHCH News (9 January 2015), described two possible reasons cold can make aching joints feel worse: "Constricted blood vessels could be a cause and so could low mood."
Physiotherapist Irene Rand of The Arthritis Society said of people during cold spells: "They're stiffer, they have more pain."
Not sure if your pain sits higher or lower? See my article on upper back pain vs lower back pain.
The TCM View
In TCM, the lower back is closely linked to the Kidney system, and cold is seen as a factor that can tighten and slow the flow of Qi and Blood. These are TCM concepts, not Western medical diagnoses.
Three patterns classically match back pain when cold weather arrives:
TCM pattern | Typical signs in the lower back | Tongue and pulse (TCM) |
|---|---|---|
Cold-Damp obstruction (Bi) | Heavy, cold, stiff ache; worse in cold, damp weather; eases with warmth and movement | Pale, white greasy coat; slow or soggy pulse |
Kidney Yang deficiency | Long-standing dull ache; back and knees feel weak and cold; worse when tired | Pale, swollen, white coat; deep, weak pulse |
Qi and Blood stagnation | Fixed, stabbing pain in one spot; worse with sitting still; may follow a strain | Purplish or purple spots; wiry or choppy pulse |
Many people show a mix of patterns.
What May Help: Acupuncture
The American College of Physicians 2017 guideline on noninvasive treatments for low back pain (summarised by Hauk L, American Family Physician 2017;96(6):407-408, aafp.org) states:
For acute or subacute low back pain, "superficial heat, massage, acupuncture, and spinal manipulation are all appropriate treatment options to try initially."
For chronic low back pain, acupuncture is among options that "are first-line options and have fewer harms compared with medication."
What an Acupuncture Visit Involves
Intake: your pain, what makes it better or worse, your sleep, energy and general health.
Tongue and pulse: In TCM, these help me see which pattern fits you.
Treatment: fine, sterile, single-use needles.
Warming methods: depending on your pattern, moxibustion or cupping, traditional TCM methods used when cold plays a part.
A tailored plan: We talk about how often to come and what to do at home.
Two Self-Care Tips
If you're wondering how to relieve back pain from cold weather between visits, start here.
1. Use warmth, and keep moving.
The NHS suggests you "use a heat pack (or hot water bottle) wrapped in a tea towel to relieve joint stiffness or muscle spasms." It also advises you to "stay active and try to continue with your daily activities" and "do not stay in bed for long periods of time."
2. Self-press Weizhong (BL40).
In TCM, Weizhong is a classic point for the lower back. It sits in the middle of the crease at the back of your knee.
Find it: Sit down and bend your knee slightly. You'll see or feel a skin crease at the back of the knee. Find the two ends of that crease; the point sits halfway between them.
Self-check: With the knee slightly bent, your fingertip should rest right in the centre of the crease, in a soft spot.
Press: Press firmly, but not so hard that it hurts, for 2 to 3 minutes on each side.
Skip it: Do not press if the skin there has a rash, an open wound, redness, swelling, or varicose veins.
When to See a Doctor
Call 911 right away if you have:
Pain, tingling, weakness or numbness in both legs
Loss of feeling around the genitals or anus
Changes in bladder or bowels (difficulty peeing, or peeing or pooing yourself)
Pain that started after a serious accident, such as a car accident
See your family doctor or registered practitioner soon if you:
Feel hot, cold, shivery or generally unwell
Are losing weight without trying
(Source: NHS, "Back pain", nhs.uk.) Please don't stop or change any medication without talking to the person who prescribed it.
Let's Talk About Your Back
Lower back pain in cold weather doesn't have to define your winter. If you'd like to explore how acupuncture and TCM may offer positive support for your back this season, you're welcome to book a consultation at my clinic at 6066 Quinpool Rd, Halifax.
Related: Cold Hands and Feet in Winter: What Traditional Chinese Medicine Sees, Fact vs. Myth: Why Cupping Marks Are Valuable (And What They Actually Mean)
Viet Hoang, R.Ac (Registered Acupuncturist, CMAAC) practises acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine in Halifax, Nova Scotia. This article is general information, not medical advice.
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