Why Your Joints Feel Stiff in January & How to Reset Them Fast
Dr. Andrew Kakishita | Lehi, UT
Every January, I see a clear pattern in the clinic. People in Lehi walk in saying their joints feel extra stiff, achy, or tight, even if they didn’t do anything out of the ordinary. It’s not your imagination. There are a few reasons this month makes everything feel a little more rigid.
Cold weather affects how your tissues behave. Muscles contract more easily, circulation slows down, and the joint capsules around areas like your knees, hips, and spine become less pliable. When you add in long holiday drives, more time sitting with family, and irregular routines, your body doesn’t get the consistent movement it’s used to. Less movement leads to more stiffness. The body isn’t designed to stay still for long periods, especially in colder temperatures.
How Cold Weather Impacts Movement
The cold can also make it harder for your nervous system to feel relaxed. People tend to shrug their shoulders, brace their midsections, and keep their arms in closer to their body. That natural “tightening” response is meant to keep you warm, but it also makes your muscles work harder than normal. You might not notice it in the moment, but by the end of the day your neck, upper back, or hips feel more tense.
This is very similar to what happens during long drives or long workdays. Your body isn’t designed to stay in one position too long, and January exaggerates that. If you read my recent blogs on holiday travel and movement resolutions, the same theme shows up again. Your joints feel better when they get frequent, low-stress movement.
Simple Ways to Reset Stiff Joints
The first way to reset stiffness is through short movement breaks. Even a few slow circles of your hips or shoulders every hour helps warm up tissues and improve blood flow. It doesn’t need to be complicated. Light, repeated movement helps your body adapt to the colder temperatures and reduces that “stuck” feeling.
Another helpful strategy is starting the morning with a quick mobility routine. A few minutes of gentle rotations, ankle mobility, or hip openers helps your body wake up more smoothly. This is especially helpful in Utah’s winter when many people wake up feeling tight before they even get out of bed.
Heat is also a great tool in January. A warm shower, heated socks, or warm packs can help calm down the nervous system and improve circulation. When used before light movement, heat tends to reduce stiffness more effectively.
How I Help Patients Reset Their Joints in the Clinic
In my clinic, I typically combine joint mobility, soft tissue work, and simple exercises tailored to the person’s specific stiffness patterns. Most people feel a noticeable difference after just a few targeted interventions. Once your body is moving better again, it becomes easier to maintain that flexibility throughout the month.
If your joints have been feeling unusually stiff this January and you want help getting things moving again, I’m always happy to take a look. You can learn more here:
https://kineticchiropracticutah.com