Is Your Joint Pain Worse in Winter?
Cold, wet weather, changes in air pressure, and decreased activity may all leave your joints feeling stiff and aching in the winter.
Many people with arthritis and other joint conditions claim that their joint pain worsens in the colder months, and there are a number of reasons why that may in fact be true.
The most common culprit appears to be changes in the barometric, or air, pressure, with studies confirming that a drop in pressure is a factor in arthritic joint pain. This may explain how a number of arthritis sufferers can sense changes in air pressure and, therefore, the onset of rain and snow.
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It is believed that as air pressure gets lower and there is less atmospheric pressure holding back the soft tissue that surrounds the joints, any existing inflamed tissue in and around joints will expand to fill that space. If there are nerves in that tissue, they would be stimulated by the swelling, which would cause increased pain.
Another theory is that in cold weather the body may circulate less blood to the peripheral areas as a way of conserving warm blood around the heart. As a result, joints become stiffer, which leads to joint pain.
This decrease in circulation, paired with lower external temperatures, also causes the skin to get colder in the winter, from the average 90+°F down to 70 to 80°F. When the skin is colder, pain sensors work more, which is why more things hurt, or things hurt more. Try to keep your body temperature up by setting the thermostat to a comfortable temperature when indoors, staying covered with a blanket when sedentary, dressing in extra layers, and keeping hands, feet and head covered when outdoors.
In addition, cold weather tends to create lifestyle conditions that can lead to arthritic symptoms. During the winter, many people are more sedentary and their joints tend to stiffen up. This can be improved by staying active throughout the year, even if you have to make changes to your usual warm-weather exercise routine. (See Warm Up Your Winter With Exercise for winter exercise tips.)
If your joints are often sore, stiff or aching, you may also want to try a nutritional supplement that specifically helps your body maintain healthy joint tissue. Joint Support contains glucosamine, chondroitin and six other nutrients and herbs that keep your joints nourished, supports cartilage and joint function, and address pain and inflammation.
