Knee Pain, Joint Pain, Muscle Pain & The Weather
Have you ever heard someone say they know it
is going to rain because their arthritic knees are acting up? Believe me, it's not just Grandma, I've even experienced it myself. While your joints may not hold the answer for the
weekly weather forecast, there are some theories to explain how the weather can
actually affect your joints and muscles.
Humidity
In people with arthritis, joint pain, muscle
pain, headaches and even those who don’t normally suffer, humidity is said to
affect the body, often causing pain. Humidity often rises before, during and
after it rains, as well as when it is hot outside. This means that grandma’s
knees might not be fibbing after all.
Barometric Pressure
During levels of high humidity, barometric
pressure is often low. So what is barometric pressure you ask? Barometric
pressure, or atmospheric pressure, is known as “the weight of the air”. A
rise in barometric pressure usually means good weather, while a decrease
usually means bad weather. Decreases in barometric pressure, especially those
that come quickly, such as a rainstorm or a heat wave, often affect the body in
people who are more sensitive or who have pre-existing conditions. The variation
in pressure causes changes in the fluids in your body, which can also cause
inflammation or sensitivity to the joints, especially those with arthritis.
Dehydration
It may be easy to forget to drink as much
water as you know you should be drinking, but when you are in pain and it is
hot outside, it is more important than ever to make sure you are hydrating your
body.
The joints in your body are able to move more
fluidly when your body is properly hydrated, but if you are not drinking enough
water you may experience worsened joint pain and even muscle cramps.
On top of the pain, those who do not drink
enough water are often more prone to fatigue – meaning you won’t be motivated
to push physical activity or exercise which lack of can in itself, lead to joint and
muscle pain.
So what can you do?
As far as the weather goes, we don’t have
much of a say in the forecast, but making sure you keep yourself hydrated and
healthy is something you can control.
If you have a condition such as
Arthritis, it can also be beneficial to look into Physical Therapy and/or
Interventional Pain Management techniques to help strengthen your body and
prevent a flare up. The same advice is recommended for athletes who are prone to sports injuries and people who
have a high level of daily activity.
At New York Pain Care, the Top Pain Management Doctors and Physical Therapists in NYC can help treat a flare up, or help you
to avoid one.
Request an appointment now on ZocDoc or
call us at 212-604-1300.