By Edward Lockwood, DPT
This is not a super human power, but a common phenomenon due to the changes of pressure inside your joints when there are weather changes. Typically, when there is a weather change that will lead to precipitation, there will be a decrease of atmospheric pressure prior to beginning of precipitation. This can cause a decrease in the pressure inside of most joints, intra-articular pressure, which is lower than atmospheric pressure. A change in intra-articular pressure can in turn lead to more pain with conditions, such as osteoarthritis.1 It has been theorized that increased joint pain may be due to the pressure change causing joint tissues to slightly expand and increase inflammation inside joints. In addition to weather/ precipitation changes effecting intra-articular pressure, it has also been shown that there is a correlation between increased joint pain and cold weather. One theory regarding this phenomenon is related to the change of fluid viscosity inside joints with lower temperatures. Synovial fluid, which is fluid that resides inside of joints to help protect and lubricate joints, becomes more viscous and less elastic in colder weather. Therefore, decreased temperatures could potentially influence increased joint stiffness and pain.2
People commonly attempt to decrease weight bearing activities (walking, exercise, etc.) due to their pain when they are having an arthritis exacerbation. However, this often leads to worsening joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation. Instead research has supported that exercise actually helps increase joint temperature and thus improve fluid viscosity. Therefore, exercise can help decrease osteoarthritis joint pain and stiffness. General and specific exercises can be an effective for long term management and help with weather related exacerbations of arthritis.
1 McAlindon T, Formica M, Schmid CH, et al. Changes in barometric pressure and ambient temperature influence osteoarthritis pain. Am J Med. 2007 May;120(5):429-34.
2 June RK, Fyhrie DP. Temperature effects in articular cartilage biomechanics. J Exp Biol. 2010 Nov 15;213(Pt 22):3934-40.
Dr. Lockwood is a Physical Therapist at Boston Sports Medicine
