How can joints forecast the weather

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Author: Alexa Meara, MD. A study published in in the International Journal of Biometeorology examined a possible relationship between the pain and rigidity of arthritis and the weather variables of temperature, relative humidity, barometric pressure, wind speed and precipitation.

The study found that both decreased temperature and increased relative humidity are independently associated with increased pain and rigidity in arthritis sufferers. However, none of the various small studies completed since then have been able to replicate these findings. Earlier this year, a study published in PLoS One examined whether local weather is associated with rates of online searches for terms related to knee pain, hip pain and arthritis.

Scientists looked at five years of online search volumes for these terms for the 50 most populous cities in the contiguous United States.

They also looked at corresponding local weather data for temperature, relative humidity, barometric pressure and precipitation. They found that selected local weather conditions are significantly associated with online search volumes for specific musculoskeletal pain symptoms. There is the age-old theory that joint pain increases when the barometric pressure falls while accompanied by higher humidity levels.

Once the front moves on, the pain and stiffness tends to lessen. As barometric pressure falls like before and during a storm the pressure inside your joints changes, which may impact the nerve endings around those joints. Ligaments contain specialized stretch receptors. These stretch receptors, particularly in joints that may have arthritis, could be hypersensitive. Small changes in atmospheric pressure, may in fact allow these receptors to fire which may cause the increase in pain.

Aim for a mix of strength training and cardio. Health Topics Joint Health. Learn if cold weather, changes in barometric pressure and other weather patterns can lead to joint pain.

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