Does Weather Affect Chronic Pain?

If you’ve ever felt like your chronic pain gets worse when the weather drops, you’re not imagining it. A lot of people with joint conditions or nerve pain report feeling achy or stiff when the temperature plummets or humidity rises. 

But why is that? Our East Tennessee pain specialists explain more below! 

How Can the Weather Affect Chronic Pain?

While changes in the weather don’t affect everyone the same way, many people with chronic pain notice a difference with even the slightest shift in temperature, pressure, or humidity. 

Seasonal transitions, like the move from winter to spring or summer to fall, can throw your body out of balance and make pain symptoms that much more noticeable. For some, fluctuations in barometric pressure that come with changing weather patterns may have just as much of an effect as the temperature itself. 

Summer

Hot, humid air causes the body to retain fluid, which can lead to swollen joints and increased pressure on sensitive nerves. If you have arthritis or fibromyalgia, you may notice a spike in discomfort on muggy days. What might seem surprising, though, is that drinking more water can actually help. When you’re dehydrated, your body tries to hold on to every bit of fluid it can. Staying hydrated encourages your body to flush out excess fluid, which in turn, reduces puffiness and eases inflammation.

Winter

When temperatures drop, your muscles naturally tense up to preserve body heat. Over time, that tension can make you stiff and hinder your mobility, especially for people with certain joint conditions like arthritis or fibromyalgia. On top of that, winter air tends to be much drier, which can contribute to dehydration. That lack of moisture affects your body’s ability to properly lubricate the joints; less of which means more friction. 

You might also notice your joints feel tight in the morning, or that it takes longer to warm up when you’re doing something active in the warmer months. 

Barometric Pressure

One of, if not the biggest, weather-related pain triggers is barometric pressure, which essentially means the weight of the air around us. When a storm is on its way, the barometric pressure tends to drop, and for some people, that shift can trigger a flare-up. 

The theory is that lower pressure allows the tissues in your body to expand slightly, which might press on nerves or joints, causing an increase in pain, especially if you’re already dealing with inflammation. 

Not everyone is sensitive to these changes, but if you’ve ever noticed that your joints ache more just before it rains, that could be why. 

Tips for Protecting Your Joints from the Weather

Keeping cool will make the most difference during the summer. Stay in air-conditioned spaces when you can, wear breathable clothing, and remember to drink plenty of water. Gentle exercises like walking or swimming can also help keep your joints loose without making you overheat. 

In winter, layer up, use heating pads or warm baths to soothe any stiff areas, and try indoor stretches or low-impact exercise to stay as mobile as possible. 

How Can You Get Rid of Barometric Pressure Pain?

While you can’t control the weather, you can manage how your body responds. One of the simplest and most effective ways is to stay hydrated. Water supports joint lubrication and helps flush out inflammation in the body. It’s also helpful to track how your symptoms shift with the seasons so your treatment plan can adapt. 

What About Pain Management?

If you’re finally turning to pain management treatment after struggling with chronic pain, our East Tennessee pain clinic offers several treatment options designed to address the root cause of your discomfort, not just the symptoms: 

• Medication management (NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, injections)
• Physical therapy referrals
• Interventional procedures like nerve blocks or ESWT
• Regenerative treatments like PRP or stem cell therapy

We also pride ourselves on delivering care with a personal touch. The more details you share, like stiffness, limited movement, or even feelings of isolation, the better we can tailor your plan to help you feel your best, no matter the forecast. 

In Need of Chronic Pain Relief? Contact our Tennessee Licensed Specialists

If weather changes are making your chronic pain hard to manage, you don’t have to tough it out alone. At Grace Point Pain Management, we specialize in helping people understand and take control of their pain. 

Are you interested in having our licensed pain specialists create a personalized treatment plan for you? Call 865-503-6865 to get started today! 

Content checked by the licensed pain management specialists at Grace Point Pain Management