Is There a Connection Between Winter Weather & Joint Pain?

We've all heard a grandparent or a great aunt or uncle complain about the cold weather causing joint pain. While it may have seemed like a stretch at the time, there is a real correlation between cold winter weather and joint pain. And if the winter weather is the source of your aches and pains, you don't have to just accept it! The chiropractor team at Unity Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Beaverton offers several solutions to help you find relief. Let's take a closer look at a few of the reasons winter weather can cause joint pain. 

Why Does Cold Weather Cause Joint Pain?

There is no one answer to why frigid temperatures lead to aching joints. In fact, there are several potential explanations. 

Thickening of Joint Fluid

Most fluids in the body tend to thicken when colder temperatures are introduced. And the shock-absorbing fluid in your joints, called synovial fluid, is no different. When colder temperatures roll in, this fluid can become more viscous and no longer freely flow, which can result in creaking and stiffer joints. 

Changes in the Barometric Pressure

In the simplest terms, barometric pressure is the weight of the air around you. Anytime cold fronts or cold weather moves in, the barometric pressure drops. This change in pressure can cause your tissues to expand, and as joints get older, slight increases in sizes like that can cause aches. 

Humidity & Cold Combo

The combination of high levels of humidity and cold weather can create the perfect storm for your joints. In fact, cold weather and high humidity are both understood to be harmful to your cartilage cells and bones. 

Lack of Activity

As the temperature drops, most people leave the outside elements for warmer climates indoors. Once inside, you may find it harder to be active. This inactivity means that those joints are no longer being used as much, which tends to increase aches as well. 

Unity Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Beaverton

While winter weather has been connected to aching joints in more than one way, there is hope! The team at Unity Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Beaverton takes a holistic approach to treating joint pain. In addition to comprehensive chiropractic treatment, we offer a range of innovative solutions designed to alleviate your pain.