How and Why Do Changing Seasons Impact Joint Pain?

As the weather and seasons change, individuals who live with chronic joint pain often experience more joint discomfort. This phenomenon is more than just a coincidence – studies have shown that there is a relationship between the weather and chronic pain. While there appears to be a connection, the connection is not yet well understood as there are many complex variables at play. Learn more about how weather may alter the frequency or intensity of joint pain and ways to minimize this pain when the weather changes with physical therapy.

What Type of Weather Affects the Joints?

In a study of over 12,000 Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), there was a significant difference in RA activity between the seasons. Consistent with other studies, the research demonstrated that patients reported higher levels of disease remission during the summer and fall months and a higher level of disease activity during the winter and spring. A similarly sized study of patients with joint conditions like arthritis from the United Kingdom indicated that pain and aches increased on days with higher humidity, lower barometric pressure, and stronger winds. On days that are sunnier with lower humidity, patients with RA reported less disease activity.

How Does Weather Influence Joint Pain?

While the exact cause of weather-related joint discomfort is unknown, factors such as temperature, atmospheric pressure, and even sunlight are thought to play significant roles based on the studies mentioned above.

Atmospheric Pressure

Barometric pressure is the weight of the atmosphere pressing down on us. Depending on the weather, this pressure can fluctuate up or down. When air pressure decreases, the weather typically worsens – think clouds, wind, and rain. At the same time, the pressure on our bodies is a little less and joints decompress slightly. For individuals with chronic pain, the tissues within the joints can swell and cause irritation. Additionally, if the air pressure drops suddenly, the abrupt change can cause aches to be more pronounced than if the air pressure change is gradual.

Temperature

It is not uncommon for people with joint pain to experience more aches and pains during colder weather. When the weather cools down, the air pressure decreases, and humidity increases. Especially during the winter, patients experience worse pains during the morning or at night as those parts of the day are when the temperature is usually at its lowest point. Additionally, people may experience more stiffness and aches in the morning since there is little movement of the joints during sleep. It is also thought that cooler temperatures may cause a slight thickening of the synovial fluids that keep the joints lubricated. When this fluid becomes thicker, the joints may have less room, and it can cause pain. Additionally, cold or rainy days may keep people indoors and prevent them from getting active. Decreased physical activity can enhance joint pain and stiffness.

Exposure to Sunlight

Studies have shown that vitamin D deficiency is common among individuals with rheumatoid arthritis and can cause symptoms to worsen. During winter months, when sunlight is more limited and people avoid spending prolonged time outdoors due to the cold, vitamin D deficiency grows more common. Studies have shown that during the summer months, when exposure to sunlight is greater, people report lower disease activity.

Relieving Joint Discomfort

While there’s not much you can do about the changing of the seasons or weather, there are many ways that you can try to find joint pain relief. Here are a few things to try the next time you feel cooler weather creeping in:

Stay Active

Incorporating regular physical activity into your routine can help relieve the aches and pains brought on by changes in the weather. When you’re less active, your muscles, tendons, and ligaments get tighter. Thus, keeping your body moving can help to ease chronic pain associated with your joints.

Dress for the Weather

If the weather is getting cold, dress in warm clothes to prevent your muscles from stiffening in the cold. In the summer months, wear comfortable clothes that allow you to enjoy summer activities and enable you to move freely without restriction or discomfort.

Apply Heat

While heat shouldn’t be a substitute for physical activity, when you begin to feel achy, applying heat to the affected area can provide joint pain relief. Taking a hot shower or using a heating pad may help increase blood flow to loosen up the aching joint as well.

Stretch Your Muscles and Do a Light Warmup

Stretching should become a regular habit for people with joint pain. When you take the time to stretch your muscles, you increase your flexibility and maintain joint health. In addition to stretching, be sure to take time to adequately warm up your muscles before engaging in physical activity by implementing a light warmup.

Address Aches and Pains with Physical Therapy

Another thing you can do to manage joint pain is to address aches and pains with physical therapy. Physical therapy can help you alleviate pain, restore mobility, improve function, and get you back to doing the things you enjoy most with confidence. Your physical therapist can provide low impact options with a graded exercise program to get you moving.

Modify Your Diet

Take time to look at the food you eat. Some foods, like green tea, berries, and whole wheat, can help to reduce inflammation in the body . Having a healthier diet can help to improve the overall health of the body.

Make the Most of the Summer

Make the most of the summer. Summer months are an excellent time to get active and build muscle strength, decrease inflammation, and enable muscles to warm up more quickly in colder weather. Swimming is a great option as it relieves weight-bearing pressure in the joints. Other activities like biking, walking, or doing yoga can also help to improve strength and flexibility and are low-impact activities.

Be Mindful of Limitations

As you work in more physical activity, be mindful of your body’s limitations. Don’t try to push yourself too hard, otherwise you risk doing more damage to your joints.

Navigating Joint Pain Through Seasonal Transitions

Chronic joint pain can be greatly impacted by the changing seasons for many reasons. Factors like atmospheric pressure, temperature and exposure to sunlight can contribute to the discomfort that many individuals tend to experience. Acknowledging and understanding these factors allows you to take the proper steps towards better managing your symptoms. While we cannot control the seasons or the weather, developing awareness and taking the proper preventative measures can help to manage your symptoms without too much effect on your typical, daily activities.

Address Joint Pain with Physical Therapy

Beyond these simple suggestions, people who experience chronic pain can also turn to physical therapy for additional ways to relieve pain. Physical therapy will help you to learn proper body mechanics that can relieve pain and improve the function of your joints. Our expert physical therapists will work with you to understand your goals to help you better manage your chronic pain. We’ll design a customized treatment plan that aims to improve your range of motion, strengthen supporting muscles, and improve the balance and stability your joints. Request an appointment today at one of our nationwide clinics.

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