Why joint pain may worsen before it rains

From indianexpress.com

Can rainy weather make joint pain worse? A doctor explains how changes in barometric pressure, cold weather and a sensitised nervous system may influence chronic pain and arthritis symptoms

Many people with arthritis, old injuries, or chronic pain say they can predict changes in the weather before the first raindrops fall. In an Instagram video, US-based doctor and content creator Dr Kunal Sood addressed this commonly discussed issue. He said, “Can joint pain or chronic pain really flare when it rains? For some people, the answer comes down to how sensitive the nervous system and irritated tissues have become. After an injury, surgery, or an inflammatory pain condition, the affected area can become more reactive than before. Weather changes can add another layer.” Explaining a possible mechanism, he added, “Before rain, barometric pressure can shift, and that may slightly change pressure around already sensitive joints, tendons, or nerves. Cold weather can also reduce local blood flow and make muscles, tendons, and connected tissue feel stiffer. This can happen with arthritis, fibromyalgia, nerve pain, recent inflammation, or pain after surgery.”

Dr Sood also emphasised that worsening pain during rainy weather does not necessarily indicate that the underlying condition has deteriorated. He explained, “That doesn’t always mean new damage is happening. It may mean the pain system is more sensitive to changes the body used to ignore. That is why some people can feel pain flare before or during rainy weather, even when nothing new has happened structurally.” Summing up, he said, “The weather may not be creating the pain from scratch, but it can amplify pain signals in a body that is already sensitised.” His explanation raises broader questions about the relationship between weather, the nervous system and chronic pain. We asked an expert to explain what current evidence shows.

                                                                Dr Kunal Sood discusses joint pain | Source: Canva

Weather and chronic pain

Dr P C Jagadeesh, senior orthopaedic surgeon at Kauvery Hospital, tells indianexpress.com, “While many patients report worsening pain before or during rainy weather, scientific evidence remains mixed. Some studies have found an association between changes in barometric pressure and increased joint discomfort, particularly in individuals with osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis, while others have shown only a weak correlation. Clinically, however, it is common to hear patients describe weather-related fluctuations in pain. Conditions most frequently associated with this phenomenon include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, old fractures or ligament injuries, chronic back pain, and fibromyalgia. Some individuals with nerve-related pain may also report increased sensitivity during periods of weather change.”

Managing weather-related joint and muscle pain

Maintaining regular movement is one of the most effective ways to manage weather-related pain. Dr Jagadeesh suggests that gentle stretching, strengthening exercises, walking and physiotherapy-guided routines help keep joints mobile and muscles conditioned. Applying heat, staying physically active indoors, maintaining a healthy weight and ensuring good sleep can also reduce symptom severity. Patients should avoid becoming sedentary during painful periods, as inactivity often worsens stiffness and discomfort.

“Medical evaluation is important if the pain becomes progressively worse, starts interfering significantly with daily activities, is associated with swelling, redness, warmth, weakness or loss of function, or if there is a sudden change in symptoms. Persistent worsening pain may indicate progression of arthritis, a new injury, nerve involvement or another underlying condition that requires proper assessment and treatment,” concludes Dr Jagadeesh.

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.

https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/health/doctor-joint-pain-rainy-weather-barometric-pressure-10793509/