HuffPost: Here's Why Cold Weather Can Make Joint Pain Worse

HuffPost recently interviewed Mariko Ishimori, MD, a rheumatologist and assistant professor of Medicine at Cedars-Sinai, about why people with arthritis or joint pain may experience worse symptoms during the cold winter months.  

Ishimori told HuffPost that cold weather affects the liquid that lubricates our joints.

“When the weather gets cooler, the synovial fluid that acts like motor oil in our joints becomes more like sludge,” she said.

Changes in barometric pressure—the measure of the weight of air—can cause muscles and tendons to expand, putting additional stress on already crowded joints. As they expand, joint tissue may become swollen or more uncomfortable, Ishimori said.

According to the Arthritis Foundation, patients may be less active on cold days, causing stiffness in the joints. The cold weather’s effect on outdoor activities that usually offer a healthy distraction may cause people to fixate on their pain.

Ishimori recommended several tactics to manage joint pain during cold weather, including avoiding wet, slippery surfaces.

“Our bodies aren’t used to navigating slick surfaces... And if your joints are damaged from arthritis, your sense of balance and proprioception may be affected,” she said, adding that arthritis increases the risk of falling.

Ishimori told HuffPost that people should also prioritize stretching before exercise.

To ease the effects of cold weather, experts also recommend staying warm and active, eating a nutritious diet, and managing stress effectively. They advise discussing arthritis symptoms with a physician, especially if the symptoms are new or haven’t been evaluated.

Read the complete article from HuffPost.