How Weather Changes Affect Chronic Pain: Managing Seasonal Discomfort

Have you ever joked that you’re a better weather forecaster than the local meteorologist because your joints can predict a storm? You may be onto something. 

While weather doesn’t cause chronic pain, many people notice that changes in temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure seem to worsen their symptoms. It’s something our team of specialists hears a lot at Garden State Pain & Orthopedics. 

Take a moment to learn four ways the weather changes can affect chronic pain and what you can do about it.

4 ways weather changes can affect chronic pain

Weather-related pain flare-ups are frequently reported by people with:

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Chronic back pain
• Neck pain
• Fibromyalgia
• Migraines
• Neuropathic pain
• Previous orthopedic injuries

Not everyone experiences weather sensitivity, but if you suspect you’re part of that group, don’t brush off your symptoms.

According to data published in the journal Pain, changes in barometric pressure, temperature, and humidity may trigger a variety of responses in your body, including changes in your blood pressure, blood viscosity (thickness), inflammation levels, and even skin/nerve sensitivity. All of these changes can trigger a pain flare-up.  

Here’s how that creates the perfect storm for chronic pain:

1. Changes in barometric pressure may increase discomfort

Barometric pressure refers to the weight of the air around us. At sea level, for example, the normal barometric pressure is 29.92 inches of mercury (inHg). When storms approach, barometric pressure often drops below this number. 

These drops in barometric pressure may cause the tissues surrounding your joints to expand slightly, potentially increasing stress on already sensitive structures. 

Many people report increased stiffness, aching, and joint discomfort before rainy or stormy weather. This is especially true for people with osteoarthritis. 

Changes in barometric pressure can also trigger headaches or even a migraine attack.

2. Cold temperatures can worsen joint stiffness

Cold weather often causes your muscles to tighten and joints to feel less flexible. This is true for anyone, whether or not they have a chronic pain condition. 

For people with arthritis, chronic back pain, or previous injuries, this can lead to increased stiffness, reduced mobility, and greater discomfort during the colder months.

Many people notice that their symptoms improve somewhat as temperatures warm up.

3. Humidity may contribute to pain flare-ups

For some people, though, the problem isn’t the temperature. It’s the humidity. If that’s true for you, you may experience worsening pain when humidity levels rise. 

According to an article published in the journal Current Pain and Headache Reports, a 26.5% increase in relative humidity was associated with 28% higher odds of a migraine attack.

Note: Changes in humidity often occur alongside fluctuations in temperature and barometric pressure, so it’s sometimes difficult to isolate a single cause.

4. Seasonal changes can affect activity levels

Weather doesn’t just affect your body directly; it can also affect your behavior. For example, cold temperatures, snow, ice, rain, or extreme heat may make you less active. 

Unfortunately, decreased movement can contribute to muscle stiffness, reduced flexibility, and worsening pain.

How to manage seasonal pain flare-ups

While you can’t control the weather, you can take steps to reduce its impact on your symptoms.

Stay active

If possible, try to keep up with your recommended exercises even during inclement weather. Instead of skipping your daily walk, head to the gym or a local rec center to use the track or treadmill.

Keep your body warm

Layering clothing, using heating pads, taking warm showers, and staying warm indoors may help reduce stiffness during colder weather. 

On the flip side, if the heat or humidity bothers you, try to keep your home at a comfortable temperature and use fans when possible.

Stay hydrated

It’s no secret that hydration supports your overall health, and you probably already know that dehydration can contribute to a host of issues like constipation, headaches, brain fog, and dry skin.

Dehydration can also make seasonal pain flare-ups worse. Even a 1% loss in hydration can increase your pain sensitivity. Hot weather can pack a one-two punch by dehydrating you and potentially triggering weather-related pain flare-ups.

The bottom line: make sure you’re hydrating! 

Follow your treatment plan

Stay consistent with any medications, exercises, injections, or other therapies that your Garden State Pain & Orthopedics provider has recommended. Your treatment plan can help reduce the severity of weather-related flare-ups.

Address pain before it becomes severe

Waiting until pain becomes unbearable can make it more difficult to control. If you already know you’re susceptible to weather changes, talk to us. Getting ahead of the pain can often lead to better symptom management.

Don’t let the forecast control your life

If chronic pain is interfering with your daily activities, schedule an evaluation with us in Clifton, Edison, West Orange, Hazlet, or Jersey City, New Jersey. 

Or, call one of our offices to get started.