Understanding Why Pain Can Change With the Forecast
Have you ever noticed that your knees start to ache or your back feels stiffer just before it rains? No you’re not imagining it and you’re not alone. Many people living with chronic pain can “predict” changes in the weather based on how their body feels. For years we have brushed off these observations as old wives’ tales, but science now suggests there’s real truth to this connection. Our joints can, in a sense, act like little barometers, responding to changes in the atmosphere even before the clouds roll in.
Contrary to what many people think, it’s not the cold, rain, or snow that directly causes joint pain to flare up. The real culprit is something you can’t see: barometric pressure (the weight of the air around us).
When the weather changes, barometric pressure often drops. Robert Jamison, a professor at Harvard Medical School and a leading researcher in pain management, has studied this phenomenon extensively. In one of his studies, almost 68% of people with chronic pain said they could feel their pain increase before bad weather arrived.
Dr. Jamison compares this to a balloon: when the air pressure outside is high, it pushes against the balloon, keeping it firm. But when the pressure drops, the balloon expands slightly. The same thing can happen inside your body. Tissues surrounding your joints may expand when the external pressure drops, leading to swelling and maybe some increased irritation to nearby nerves (especially if those joints are already inflamed or not moving properly).
Even small changes in pressure can make a noticeable difference for those living with conditions such as arthritis, previous injuries, or chronic back and neck pain. So why can one person predict rain with their knees while another feels nothing at all. The reason comes down to joint health and function.
When joints are healthy, they have the flexibility and stability to adapt to small fluctuations in pressure and swelling. The cartilage, ligaments, and surrounding muscles all work together smoothly, allowing the joint to “absorb” changes without discomfort.
However, if there’s dysfunction such as stiffness, inflammation, and degenerative change (like osteoarthritis), that same small amount of swelling can stress the tissues more. Essentially, if a joint is already struggling, it’s less able to tolerate even minor changes in the environment.
So why don’t I just move to Spain or Dubai?
It’s a tempting thought and I’m sure all of us are quite fed up with the British weather at times. But moving somewhere warm and sunny to escape the aches and stiffness of cooler, damp weather doesn’t solve the problem.
According to Dr. Jamison’s findings, patients with chronic pain in San Diego reported just as much discomfort as those living in Boston. The difference, he says, isn’t the climate — it’s the condition of your joints. If your joints are misaligned, inflamed, or under chronic stress, that problem will travel with you.
So what can you do?
You may not be able to control the forecast, but there’s a lot you can do to reduce how much the weather affects your joints. Here are some tips and strategies to help:
1. Keep Moving
Gentle movement helps maintain joint flexibility and circulation, which can ease stiffness. Low-impact exercises such as walking, swimming, or cycling can help your joints stay mobile without adding extra strain. Even on colder, wetter days when you don’t feel like moving, short stretches or light activity around the house can make a big difference.
2. Stay Warm
When temperatures drop, muscles and connective tissues can tighten, making joints feel stiffer. Dressing warmly, using heat packs, or taking a warm shower can help keep your joints loose and comfortable.
3. Stay Hydrated and Eat Anti-Inflammatory Foods
Cartilage (the tissue that cushions your joints) needs fluid to stay healthy. Drinking enough water and eating foods rich in omega-3, antioxidants and vitamin D can support joint health from the inside out.
4. Get Adjusted
Since weather-related pain tends to worsen when joints are already dysfunctional, improving joint mobility and alignment can make a significant difference. Getting adjusted keeps your joints moving, restoring better motion and decreasing the stress and inflammation in them.
While there’s still ongoing research into exactly how weather changes influence pain, the evidence is strong and, more importantly, validates what many people have felt for years. If you notice your joints aching when a storm’s on the way, it’s not “all in your head.”
The good news is that this sensitivity doesn’t have to dictate how you live. By improving joint function, maintaining mobility, and managing inflammation, you can minimise the impact of environmental pressure changes and stay active year-round.
You can’t change the weather but with the right support, you can change how your body responds to it. We are always here to help you move better, feel stronger, and reduce the pain that tends to come with those unpredictable weather shifts.
Dr Mark Fairclough, MChiro, DC