Why does cold weather make my joints hurt?


Short answer - we don’t fully know!


Long answer - barometric pressure:

Barometric pressure (a.k.a. atmospheric pressure) is essentially the weight of the air around us. The amount of pressure can vary due to factors such as weather and altitude. Colder weather results in a drop in pressure, and this drop means that there is less force exerted on the body.

It is thought that the drop in pressure allows the tissues in the body to swell more, cold weather also thickens the fluids in the joint which may aggravate pain anf stiffness.


Could it be something else?

There are a few other theories as to why cold weather affects joint pain. It could be that we are more likely to stay inside and move around less in the cold, or it could be that when we are out in the cold we tend to tense up in a bid to stay warm.

It could also be due to the the lack of daylight in winter which for many people results in a lower mood which is known to have a knock on effect on pain. Another theory is that it could be down to the extra stress that’s put on the body as it tries to keep you warm. The cold can also make your pain receptors more sensitive.


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