Joint Pain Before Storms: Why Does Weather Make Your Joints Ache?
If you experience joint pain before storms, you are not alone. Many people notice that their knees, hips, back, shoulders, or other joints begin aching before rain or a major weather change arrives.
Researchers are still studying exactly why this happens. However, changes in barometric pressure, humidity, and temperature may influence how some people experience joint and musculoskeletal pain. Weather sensitivity may be especially noticeable in people with osteoarthritis, previous injuries, or chronic pain.
At Everybody’s Chiropractic Center in Upper Darby, PA, we regularly hear patients say they can “feel a storm coming” because an old injury, arthritic joint, or painful area begins bothering them.
The weather itself may not be damaging your joints. Instead, changing weather conditions may make an existing musculoskeletal problem feel more noticeable.
Why Do I Get Joint Pain Before Storms?
One possible explanation involves barometric pressure, also called atmospheric pressure.
Barometric pressure is the force exerted by the air around us. Before many storms arrive, atmospheric pressure changes.
Researchers have studied whether these changes are associated with increased discomfort in people with arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions.
Research has found associations between osteoarthritis pain and weather factors including barometric pressure, humidity, and temperature. However, the response varies considerably from person to person.
That may help explain why some people notice aching before the rain actually begins.
Can Barometric Pressure Make Your Joints Hurt?
Possibly.
Some research has found an association between changes in barometric pressure and pain severity in people with osteoarthritis.
However, not everyone reacts to weather in the same way.
Some people notice:
- Increased stiffness
- More aching
- Greater sensitivity around an old injury
- Knee or hip discomfort
- Lower back pain
- Neck stiffness
- Reduced mobility
Others notice little or no difference.
Therefore, weather may influence symptoms for some people, but it is rarely the only factor contributing to joint pain.
Why Do My Joints Ache Before Rain?
Many patients describe this as “feeling the rain coming.”
The exact mechanism is still debated. Changes in weather may influence pain perception, joint stiffness, activity levels, or sensitivity in tissues surrounding an already painful joint.
In addition, colder or rainy weather often means people move less.
Reduced movement can contribute to stiffness, particularly in people who already have:
- Osteoarthritis
- Previous joint injuries
- Chronic back pain
- Knee pain
- Hip pain
- Muscle tightness
- Degenerative spinal changes
Therefore, a storm may not create a new problem. Instead, it may make an existing problem more noticeable.
Is Weather-Related Joint Pain Always Arthritis?
No.
Although arthritis is commonly associated with weather-sensitive pain, aching before storms does not automatically mean you have arthritis.
Joint and musculoskeletal pain may also be associated with:
- Previous injuries
- Tendon problems
- Muscle tightness
- Joint irritation
- Degenerative disc changes
- Limited mobility
- Repetitive strain
- Nerve-related problems
- Sports injuries
That is why persistent pain deserves an evaluation rather than simply blaming the weather.
Arthritis Pain and Weather Changes
People with osteoarthritis commonly report weather-related changes in their symptoms.
Research suggests there may be an association between osteoarthritis pain and several weather variables, particularly barometric pressure, humidity, and temperature.
However, the relationship is not identical for every person or every type of arthritis. Some people notice a very clear pattern, while others with similar joint problems notice little change when storms approach.
So if you experience joint pain before storms, the symptoms may be real even though another person with a similar diagnosis may not experience the same reaction.
For a deeper look at the research, read this systematic review on weather conditions and osteoarthritis pain from the National Library of Medicine.
Why Does My Back Hurt When the Weather Changes?
Weather-sensitive discomfort is not limited to knees or hips.
Some people report increased lower back pain during cold, damp, or rapidly changing weather.
However, back pain can have many possible causes, including:
- Muscle strain
- Arthritis
- Degenerative disc disease
- Herniated or bulging discs
- Joint stiffness
- Sciatica
- Previous injuries
Therefore, recurring back pain should not simply be blamed on the weather.
If your lower back frequently hurts, learn more about our back pain treatment in Upper Darby.
Can Degenerative Disc Disease Feel Worse Before a Storm?
Some people with spinal degeneration report increased stiffness or discomfort when the weather changes.
However, degenerative disc disease does not suddenly become structurally worse because a storm is approaching.
Instead, weather may influence how symptoms are experienced while the underlying degenerative changes remain.
If you have been diagnosed with spinal degeneration, read our guide to degenerative disc disease symptoms and treatment options.
Can Knee Pain Get Worse Before Rain?
Some people with knee arthritis or previous knee injuries report increased discomfort when weather conditions change.
Possible causes of knee pain include:
- Osteoarthritis
- Tendon problems
- Meniscus injuries
- Patellofemoral problems
- Muscle weakness
- Previous trauma
- Sports injuries
Because these conditions may require different approaches, identifying the actual source of knee pain is more useful than simply assuming rain is responsible.
Learn more about our knee pain treatment in Upper Darby.
What Can You Do for Joint Pain Before Storms?
If weather changes tend to aggravate your symptoms, several simple strategies may help.
Keep Moving
Gentle movement may help reduce stiffness and maintain comfortable joint motion.
Depending on your condition, this may include:
- Walking
- Gentle stretching
- Mobility exercises
- Light strengthening
- Low-impact exercise
Stay Warm
Some people find that keeping painful joints and surrounding muscles warm helps them feel more comfortable during cold or damp weather.
Avoid Sitting for Long Periods
Prolonged inactivity can contribute to stiffness regardless of the weather.
Therefore, try standing, walking, stretching, or changing position periodically throughout the day.
Pay Attention to Your Pattern
If symptoms consistently increase before certain weather conditions, keeping track of those patterns may be helpful.
More importantly, pain that becomes more frequent, severe, or persistent deserves an evaluation.
Can Chiropractic Care Help Weather-Related Joint Pain?
Chiropractic care cannot change barometric pressure or stop a storm from coming.
However, someone experiencing weather-sensitive pain may also have an underlying joint, spinal, muscle, or movement problem that can be evaluated and treated conservatively.
Depending on your examination, treatment may include:
- Chiropractic adjustments
- Joint mobilization
- Soft-tissue techniques
- Stretching
- Therapeutic exercise
- Mobility work
- Postural recommendations
- Activity modification
The goal is not to “treat the weather.”
Instead, we evaluate why that particular joint, back, neck, or painful area may already be sensitive and determine whether there is a musculoskeletal problem that can be addressed.
Learn more about chiropractic care in Upper Darby.
Can SoftWave Therapy Help Joint or Muscle Pain?
For selected musculoskeletal conditions, SoftWave Therapy may also be considered.
SoftWave uses acoustic shockwaves applied to a targeted treatment area. Depending on the condition, it may be incorporated into a broader conservative treatment plan.
SoftWave Therapy does not treat sensitivity to barometric pressure itself.
However, when the painful area involves an appropriate muscle, tendon, fascia, or other musculoskeletal tissue, SoftWave Therapy may be one treatment option we consider.
Learn more about SoftWave Therapy in Upper Darby.
You can also read How SoftWave Therapy Works.
What If Joint Pain Travels Into the Leg?
Sometimes pain that seems like a hip, buttock, or leg problem may actually involve irritation of a spinal nerve.
For example, sciatica can cause pain that travels from the lower back or buttock into the leg. Some people also experience burning, tingling, numbness, or weakness.
Weather does not necessarily cause sciatica. However, someone who already has a sensitive lower back or nerve problem may notice that symptoms fluctuate at different times.
Learn more about sciatica and back pain treatment in Upper Darby.
Can Spinal Decompression Help Certain Back and Disc Problems?
When weather-related aching occurs in someone who also has a disc problem, sciatica, or chronic lower back pain, we may consider additional conservative options depending on the diagnosis.
For selected patients, non-surgical spinal decompression may be considered as part of a treatment plan.
Spinal decompression is not appropriate for every back problem, so we evaluate the patient’s symptoms, examination findings, and available imaging before recommending it.
Learn more about Spinal Decompression Treatment in Upper Darby.
When Should Joint Pain Be Evaluated?
Occasional aching during weather changes may not necessarily be concerning.
However, consider having the problem evaluated if your joint pain:
- Happens frequently
- Continues after the weather improves
- Is gradually worsening
- Limits walking or exercise
- Interferes with sleep
- Causes significant swelling
- Is associated with weakness
- Began after an injury
- Prevents normal daily activities
Seek prompt medical attention if a joint becomes severely swollen, red, hot, or extremely painful, particularly if you also develop a fever or feel ill.
Joint Pain Before Storms in Upper Darby, PA
If your knees, hips, back, shoulders, or other joints seem to predict the weather, recurring discomfort does not necessarily have to become something you simply accept every time another storm approaches.
At Everybody’s Chiropractic Center, we look beyond the weather and evaluate the underlying musculoskeletal problem that may be contributing to your symptoms.
Dr. Dan Klein has more than 30 years of experience caring for patients with joint pain, arthritis-related discomfort, lower back pain, neck pain, knee pain, sciatica, sports injuries, degenerative conditions, and other musculoskeletal problems.
Depending on what we find during your evaluation, conservative treatment may include chiropractic care, rehabilitation, mobility exercises, soft-tissue techniques, spinal decompression, or SoftWave Therapy when appropriate.
Our Upper Darby office serves patients from Upper Darby, Havertown, Drexel Hill, Springfield, Broomall, Media, Newtown Square, Ardmore, Haverford, Wynnewood, Bryn Mawr, Villanova, Wayne, Bala Cynwyd, Lansdowne, Clifton Heights, Aldan, Yeadon, West Philadelphia, surrounding Delaware County, and communities throughout the Main Line.
If joint pain before storms keeps returning or is beginning to interfere with walking, exercise, work, sleep, or the activities you enjoy, call 610-789-1800 or Make an Appointment.
You can also find Everybody’s Chiropractic Center on Google Maps.