When temperatures drop into the deep freeze here in Wisconsin, your body feels it—fast. Whether you’re scraping ice off the windshield, shoveling the driveway, snow blowing, hauling wood, or just trying not to slip on the sidewalk… winter has a way of turning “I feel fine” into “why does my back hurt?” overnight.
At ChiroElite, we see a big spike in back pain, neck stiffness, and joint flare-ups during extremely cold weather—and it makes sense. Cold conditions don’t just feel uncomfortable… they change how your muscles and joints function.
Here’s what cold weather does to the body, why aches and injuries increase, and how you can protect yourself all winter long.

1. Muscles tighten up
Cold temperatures naturally cause muscles to contract and stiffen, especially in the neck, shoulders, and lower back. Tight muscles have less flexibility and are more prone to strains when you suddenly twist, lift, or slip.

2. Joints feel stiffer
If you deal with arthritis, old injuries, or chronic tightness, cold weather can make joints feel more restricted. Even healthy joints can feel “rusty” because the surrounding muscles and connective tissues aren’t loosening up as easily.

3. You move differently in winter
When it’s icy out, your body changes the way it walks and moves—shorter steps, more tension, more bracing. That “guarding” pattern can create extra strain on your hips, knees, ankles, and spine.

4. Winter chores can be brutal
Shoveling, pushing heavy snow, carrying salt buckets, and trying to yank a frozen car door open are common triggers for:

• low back strain
• rib and mid-back pain
• neck tension headaches
• shoulder inflammation
• sciatica flare-ups

​And the tricky part is… many winter injuries aren’t dramatic—they start as a minor strain and worsen over several days.

Shoveling isn’t just “exercise”—it’s an awkward lift + twist movement done repeatedly in the cold.
Common mistakes:

• twisting while lifting snow
  
• throwing snow too far
  
• using a shovel that’s too short
  
• trying to move heavy wet snow quickly
  
• shoveling without warming up
  

If your back locks up after shoveling, it usually isn’t because you're “weak.” It’s often because your spine and supporting muscles were tight, cold, or already slightly irritated.

✅ 1. Warm up your body before going outsideEven 2–3 minutes helps:

• march in place
• hip circles
• shoulder rolls
• gentle torso twists
• a few bodyweight squats

​Think of it like warming up your truck before driving—your body needs that same courtesy in sub-zero temps.

✅ 2. Dress for mobility
Bulky winter coats can restrict shoulder movement, causing you to lift awkwardly. Wear layers so you can move freely while staying warm.

✅ 3. Use your legs, not your back
When lifting anything (shovel, salt, groceries, wood), keep the load close, bend at the hips and knees, and avoid twisting your spine under load.

✅ 4. Take smaller “bites” of snow
More trips with lighter loads is far safer than trying to muscle through heavy snow all at once—especially if it’s wet or packed.
​
✅ 5. Watch for hidden slips
​Even a small slip on ice can jar your spine and joints. If you “caught yourself” but feel sore later, that’s a red flag that your body took more impact than you think.

If you’re experiencing any of these after cold exposure, shoveling, or slipping, chiropractic care can help reduce inflammation and restore movement:

• sharp low back pain
• stiff neck that won’t loosen up
• headache starting at the base of the skull
• pain shooting down the leg (sciatica symptoms)
• shoulder pain after shoveling or scraping ice
• “locked up” mid-back or ribs
• pain that worsens each day instead of improving

​Pro tip: The sooner you address it, the faster it usually resolves. Waiting too long can let the problem “set in” and take longer to fix.

At ChiroElite, we focus on restoring motion and improving function—especially during the most demanding months of the year.
Chiropractic adjustments may help:

• improve spinal joint mobility
• reduce tension and muscle guarding
• relieve pressure and irritation in joints
• improve posture and movement patterns
• support recovery after winter strains and injuries

​Winter doesn’t have to mean weeks of stiffness and pain. The goal is to keep you moving well, staying active, and enjoying the season—not just surviving it.

Extreme cold weather is tough on your body—but a few smart habits can make a huge difference.
If you’re dealing with a flare-up, stiffness, or pain that started after cold weather or winter work, ChiroElite is here to help.

📍 ChiroElite – Eau Claire / Altoona, WI
✅ Same-day appointments when available
✅ Chiropractic care + movement-focused solutions
✅ Get relief and get back to life

​Call today or schedule online to stay pain-free all winter long.

If you’re a commercial driver, your DOT medical card is your livelihood. When it’s time to renew, you don’t have time for a long wait, confusing paperwork, or a clinic that doesn’t understand what you need.
At ChiroElite, we provide same-day DOT physicals in the Eau Claire, Wisconsin area with a smooth, professional process—so you can get back on the road fast. And if you’re feeling stiff, sore, or tight from long hours behind the wheel, you also have the option to add on a chiropractic adjustment after your exam.
Fast, Same-Day DOT Physicals Near Eau ClaireWe work with drivers every day, and we know how important it is to keep things simple and efficient. That’s why we offer same-day DOT exams whenever possible—ideal for:

• CDL drivers renewing their medical card
  
• Drivers who need a last-minute exam before work
  
• New CDL applicants
  
• Owner-operators on tight schedules
  
• Drivers switching companies or starting a new job
  

When you come in, we focus on what matters: a clear exam process, accurate documentation, and getting you through quickly without cutting corners.
What Happens During a DOT Physical?A DOT physical is a standard medical examination required by the FMCSA to confirm you’re medically safe to drive. Your visit typically includes:

• Health history review
  
• Blood pressure check
  
• Vision screening
  
• Hearing evaluation
  
• Urinalysis (required for DOT exam standards)
  
• Basic physical evaluation (heart, lungs, range of motion, reflexes, etc.)
  

Our goal is to make the experience easy, respectful, and efficient—while ensuring everything is completed correctly.
Add-On Chiropractic Adjustment (Optional)DOT physicals are focused on medical certification—but we also know that many drivers deal with daily aches and pains from:

• Long hours sitting
  
• Repetitive movement and vibration
  
• Heavy lifting, tarping, chaining, loading/unloading
  
• Tight hips, mid-back stiffness, and low back pain
  

That’s why we offer the option to add on a chiropractic adjustment right after your DOT exam.
It’s a simple way to help you:
✅ Move and feel better
✅ Reduce stiffness and tension
✅ Improve spinal mobility
✅ Get relief before your next shift or run
If you’d like to include the adjustment, just let us know when you schedule or when you arrive—we’ll guide you through your options.
Why Drivers Choose ChiroElite for DOT PhysicalsDrivers appreciate our clinic because we keep it professional, straightforward, and driver-friendly:

• Same-day DOT physicals available
  
• DOT exam process that’s efficient and organized
  
• Option to add chiropractic care if needed
  
• Easy scheduling
  
• Convenient location for the Eau Claire area
  

Whether you’re renewing your card or getting your first one, we’re here to help you get it done without hassle.
Schedule Your Same-Day DOT Physical in Eau Claire, WIIf you’re looking for a same-day DOT physical near Eau Claire, ChiroElite is ready to help. We’ll get you in, get your paperwork handled, and get you back on the road with confidence.
Call today or book online to schedule your DOT physical.
And if you want to feel better walking out than you did walking in, ask about adding an adjustment.

Follow your arrow wherever it goes.

The beginning is the most important part of the work. -Plato

Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering, 'It will be happier.' -Alfred Lord Tennyson

This is a new year. A new beginning. And things will change. -Taylor Swift

This bright new year is given me to live each day with zest, to daily grow and try to be my highest and my best. -William Arthur Ward

Be always at war with your vices, at peach with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. -Benjamin Franklin

"The greatest medicine of all is teaching people how not to need it." -Hippocrates

When I was in middle school, I started receiving letters from Harvard. No, these letters weren't recruiting me to their prestigious university. These envelopes contained multiple choice questions asking me about my health, feelings, hobbies and regular activities. I thought they were just work with no reward, but my mom would continue to push me to fill them out year after year. 

It wasn't until this video came out that I started to understand the purpose of the Harvard study. I had no idea it was going on for over 75 years. I had no idea I was part of such a great idea and commitment to continue seeing it through for all these years. I have to agree, however, that the study was dead on accurate.

Check out our chiropractic website, facebook and twitter!

Listen to this great sound bite explaining it from All Things Considered on NPR.

We’ve all had mornings where we wake up, and we’re just plain uncomfortable. If you’ve slept funny for one night, you might wake up with a crick in your neck, or an aching lower back. Being uncomfortable when you are trying to rest can cause sleep deprivation, which is very bad for your overall health. If you find yourself waking up in pain consistently, you may need to change something about the way you’re sleeping. There are options for you, like updating the kind of mattress you sleep on, your pillows, or finding a chiropractor. But it is incredibly important to avoid losing sleep on a regular basis because chronic sleep deprivation will cause problems in your daily life.
We knew that losing sleep can make you more irritable. What scientists are still learning about is this: Losing sleep reduces your pain tolerance, according to the New York Times, as well as your response to pain medications, according to a study by the National Institute of Health. These studies suggest that sleep-deprived people may have more pain for longer, and not be able to do as much about it with medication.
Scientists theorize that loss of sleep affects the body by increasing inflammation throughout the body, which could have an impact on the treatment of patients with chronic pain.
“These two vital functions, sleep, and pain, interact in complex ways that ultimately impact the biological and behavioral capacity of the individual,” the abstract of a 2005 study states. "Polysomnographic studies of patients experiencing acute pain during postoperative recovery show shortened and fragmented sleep with reduced amounts of slow wave and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, and the recovery is accompanied by normalization of sleep.”
One way to deal with chronic back pain from your sleep environment is to improve it by buying a mattress with the right amount of support, firmness, and durability. Experts generally recommend a medium-firm mattress for back pain. Sleeping on a bed that is too soft, or has lost its support from use, will increase your chances of being too uncomfortable to sleep well. Slipping a disk in your back or having your spine become misaligned is not comfortable in the least, and you should avoid it at all costs.
You should also make sure you’re using the right kind of pillow for the way you sleep, and see if adding additional pillows for body support will help with the aches and pains.
Another way to deal with the problems is to work with a chiropractor to figure out a better way to sleep and get the kinks worked out in your body when the pain meds just aren’t cutting it. A chiropractor can help you find the perfect solution for your body’s specific needs. They can teach you exercises to reduce pain in a certain area, or stretches to avoid having that pain in the first place. ​

If you've looked outside, it seems Old Man Winter refuses to let go. The first Hillcrest Run Club run of the season was planned for April 18 and that date doesn't look promising. So, due to the large amounts of snow we have outside, we'll be canceling the Wed evening club until the ground is ready for it. In the meantime we do a dog walk every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 10:45AM. The route is the same as the run and we'll be going rain, snow or shine. Look for updates on our facebook page as to when the Wednesday @ 615PM runs will start. Have a great day!

They say health is wealth so why not take care of the one body you have all your life? Chiropractic adds life to your years and years to your life.