Ever woken up to the soft rumble of a thunderstorm and a that-wasnt-there-last-night ache in your knees or wrists?
And when this happens, theres a good chance youve asked yourself, Does weather affect arthritis?
Or, maybe youre already familiar with how weather changes affect your pain levels.
Does weather affect arthritis? It’s a simple question with a complicated answer.
But what exactly does the science say?
Its not just that weather can affect arthritis, its thechangein weather that can trigger symptoms.
What kind of weather makes arthritis worse?
Kelsey McClellan
But what is it about the colder months that seems to aggravate arthritis pain?
Another theory about why the cold seems to trigger those aches and pains?
Winter isnt the only season that can cause a flare-up of arthritis symptoms, though.
Meiko Arquillos
As it turns out, changes in barometric or atmospheric pressure during rainy days may be the culprit.
This puts pressure on the joints, which then leads to pain, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
This response could lead to increased joint pain, due to changes in circulation and possible nerve fiber sensitivity.
Meiko Arquillos
What kind of weather is best for arthritis?
Can weather-induced stress cause joint pain?
If cold, rainy days ever put you in a cold, rainy mood, youre not alone.
Amber Venerable
According to theArthritis Foundation, anxiety and depression can lower your threshold for pain.
In turn, chronic pain can exacerbate depression and anxiety.
How can you treat weather-related joint pain?
Meiko Arquillos
Anyone with arthritis will tell you that planning ahead to avoid flare-ups is key.
Its not always possible to avoid weather-related joint pain if youre someone who enjoys being outdoors.
Cold-weather joint pain tends to be most common in your knees, hips, and ankles.
This will help get the blood flowing through your body and to your muscles, Morgan says.
Hold each static stretch, or perform each dynamic move, for at least 30 seconds.
