When you have arthritis, your joints may be aware of the weather before you are. High pressure, cold temperatures, high temperatures, or humidity can all affect the tissues of your joints, making you more or less comfortable.
Or, so it seems to you. The trick about weather is that researchers haven’t come to strong conclusions about what type of weather affects joint pain.
Some analysts and researchers attribute weather effects to behavior effects, such as deciding not to run because it’s rainy outside. Others show that a variety of weather conditions can influence reported pain, including:
But whether the weather’s been proven to influence joint pain or not, if you feel the pain, the pain is real. So what do you do when you hit the most changeable season of all?
Our board-certified rheumatologists at the Rheumatology Center of New Jersey help your joints function smoothly and painlessly all year round. At our offices in Somerville, Flemington, and Monroe, New Jersey, we provide medications when necessary and support for lifestyle changes that protect your joints, too.
So if you dread the blustery, changeable weather of autumn, what can you do? Here are a number of joint-friendly tips that can keep you comfortable, no matter what the weather.
Transitioning from summer to cooler temps can feel like a shock sometimes. You may dread your morning walk or run due to rain, cold, or just plain dreary weather.
But your joints need to keep moving to keep limber and smooth, no matter what the thermometer or the weather reporter says. If you normally take a walk, run, or sprint, have a backup plan for foul weather.
Join a gym just for the indoor track to get your groove on in rain or snow. Buy a rebounder or stationary bike for indoor high-intensity interval training.
No room for weights? Get some resistance bands. Even body-weight exercises are good: Find them on YouTube.
The reason movement is so important to your joints is that moving them forces your synovial tissues to produce and release a lubricant that helps them glide more smoothly. Too much inactivity leads to swollen, stiff tissues.
So find ways to move more throughout your day and don’t cut down on exercise due to gloomy weather.
Here’s a recommendation that’s easy to follow: Eat plenty of high-quality protein, low-glycemic fruits, and vegetables. The hard part is cutting out pro-inflammatory foods, such as sugar and simple carbohydrates. But replace them with whole foods, and your cravings should diminish.
Ultra-processed foods, artificial ingredients, processed meats, and even certain types of vegetables (e.g., nightshades such as tomatoes and eggplant) trigger inflammation in your body. Inflammation makes your joints stiff.
Drink enough water and healthy, unsweetened liquids, too. Fruit or vegetable infusions (not juice), plain water, mineral water, coffee, and tea are all good for your joints. Just avoid sweeteners.
Here’s more good news: Warming soups count as both nutrition and hydration.
When the weather can’t make up its mind, you may end up shivering in a summer dress or sweating in an oversized sweater. Even if the weather doesn’t directly affect your joints, your reaction to the weather might.
For instance, if you underdress and get caught in frigid winds, your body tenses up and may even shiver to try to keep you warm. That tension can affect your joints and make them feel stiffer.
If you’re overdressed, you may feel sweaty and fatigued. Suddenly that nature walk doesn’t sound too appealing, so you skip it. Bad move! (To not move.)
Instead, wear or pack a cardigan or jacket that pairs with your short sleeves. Layer your sweater with a camisole or T-shirt underneath, so you can strip it off if you get overheated. Stock up on cold-weather and rain gear such as coats, boots, hats, scarves, and gloves.
Sometimes weather fluctuations and season changes disrupt your circadian rhythm. It’s dark outside, so you sleep in later. Or the morning sun comes up so late, you’re already at work and can’t bask in its rays.
Do what you can to maintain the same wake-up and bedtime every day — weekends included — no matter what the season, weather, or shorter days. Your joints need plenty of restorative rest, and so does the rest of you.
If your joints stiffen, squeak, and creak, they’re asking for help. So please listen and reach out to us so they can function better and you can stay more comfortable.
To keep your joints moving smoothly despite the weather, call our helpful team to request an arthritis appointment today. We have offices in Somerville, Monroe, and Flemington, New Jersey.
