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Can Weather Affect My Joint Pain?

November 11, 2024 Jon Stiffler

By: Debbie Rockett, PT, OCS

Although scientists may not all be in agreement about weather causing pain, it is extremely common for people to blame the weather for their increased chronic pain or even predict when bad weather is approaching. The most compelling evidence that attempts to link weather and joint pain are found in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Numerous theories have been created to attempt to explain this connection between increased joint pain and changes in weather. 

Changes in weather may have an affect on joint pain.Can Cold Affect My Joint Pain?

Can a Change in Air Pressure or Weather Affect My Pain Levels?

One theory claims that changes in air pressure cause individuals to feel more joint pain, this is when individuals say weather affects pain levels. This phenomenon tends to display itself before damp, rainy, and cold weather due to the change in barometric pressure. 

Barometric pressure is another term for atmospheric pressure. Typical atmospheric pressure pushes against the body’s tissues, preventing them from expanding. However, before bad weather, barometric pressure tends to drop, putting less pressure against the body and allowing tissues to expand. Certainly, these changes in weather can affect your pain levels. If you are experiencing pain in your elbow but you don’t believe weather is to blame, read about other joint pain here. 

Joint Pain Caused by the Weather Joint Pain due to the Weather 

So, Can the Weather Really Affect My Joint Pain?

Many individuals try to escape the pain of arthritis and other joint pains by moving to another part of the country with different atmospheric pressure and temperature. Unfortunately, as long as an individual is participating in daily activities, a new location will most likely not drastically reduce joint pain, and weather will still affect pain. Instead of simply increasing pain medications, individuals can attempt to find relief by:

  1. Stay active: Lack of activity can increase some types of pain.
  2. Keep warm: Use warm blankets, hot packs, heating pads or heat wraps to keep your joints warm and decrease stiffness.
  3. Keep moving: Before going out into the elements, try moving around the house.
  4. Prevent swelling: Use compression products to reduce swelling and lower pain.
  5. Physical therapy: Modalities and exercises can certainly help manage your pain levels.
  6. Remember the pain is temporary: When inclement weather approaches, the barometric pressure drops are only temporary. The body will adjust to the barometric pressure changes.

To learn more about arthritis and joint pain, please read this article on avoiding a knee replacement with conservative treatment from JOI Rehab.

Related Articles: How Does Weather Affect my Pain? and Chronic Pain. 

To schedule a physical therapy appointment at one of the 13 JOI Rehab Centers, please call 904-858-7045.

For more ideas on how to handle dealing with weather related pains, schedule an appointment with a JOI Orthopedic Specialist by calling 904-JOI-2000, scheduling online, or clicking the link below. 

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