12 Ways to Tell If It's Arthritis or Just Winter — How to Tell the Difference and When to See a Doctor

11. Immediate self-care and when it helps

Many winter-related aches respond well to practical self-care. Try layered clothing, warm compresses, gentle stretching, low-impact exercise, and topical analgesics. A warm bath or heat pack can loosen tight muscles and ease joint discomfort quickly. For short-lived cold-related pain, these measures often provide meaningful relief. When arthritis is the cause, some of the same strategies help, but you might also need stronger measures like prescription medications, physical therapy, or injections when pain limits function.

12. Red flags: when to see a doctor and what to expect

Certain signs mean you should call a clinician promptly: severe or rapidly worsening pain, new joint swelling with warmth or redness, fever with joint pain, sudden inability to use a limb, or progressive loss of function. New joint pain that doesn’t improve over a few weeks despite conservative care also warrants evaluation. A clinician will take your history, examine the joint, and likely start with X-rays or blood tests. For suspected inflammatory arthritis, tests such as rheumatoid factor, anti-CCP, or inflammatory markers may be ordered. Your primary care doctor may treat some conditions or refer you to a rheumatologist or orthopedist for specialized care (Summit Health, CVS Health).