We all have that family member who can “feel a storm coming” in their knees. As temperatures drop, many people notice their joints feel stiffer, achier, and harder to move. For some, winter discomfort is mild. For others, especially people with arthritis or past injuries, it can be intense. Here’s what’s happening inside your body when it gets cold and what you can do to feel better this season.
Why Cold Weather Makes Joint Pain Worse
Knees, hips, fingers, and shoulders tend to flare up in winter. While researchers haven’t identified one exact cause, several well-supported theories explain why cold weather makes joint pain more noticeable.
- Barometric Pressure Changes: When air pressure drops before cold or stormy weather, soft tissues around the joint expand slightly. This increases pressure inside the joint, leading to stiffness, soreness, and reduced mobility.
- Humidity and Damp Conditions: Low pressure often means rain or snow. Higher humidity combined with colder temperatures can increase swelling and inflammation in already sensitive joints.
- Reduced Blood Flow: Cold weather causes blood vessels to narrow. When less blood reaches your muscles, ligaments, and joint tissue, they become tighter and more painful.
- Thicker Synovial Fluid: As Novant Health explains, the fluid that lubricates your joints becomes thicker in cold temperatures. This decreases cushioning and can lead to more friction, stiffness, and pain.
- Increased Sensitivity: People with arthritis, joint injuries, or chronic pain conditions can become more sensitive to temperature changes. Cold muscles and ligaments tighten, making daily movements more uncomfortable.
How to Combat Winter Joint Pain
The good news? You don’t have to wait until Spring to feel better. Here are four simple ways to ease stiffness and protect your joints all winter long.
1. Stay Active Indoors
Movement is medicine. Low‑impact exercises such as indoor walking, swimming, yoga, or gentle stretching help maintain flexibility, strengthen muscles around the joints, and improve circulation.
2. Stay Warm
Heat therapy can work wonders. Try warm baths, heating pads, or layered clothing. Keeping your core warm helps to ease joint stiffness and improve comfort.
3. Eat Well
Anti-inflammatory foods like salmon, leafy greens, berries, and walnuts may help reduce overall joint inflammation. Staying hydrated also keeps joint tissues healthier.
4. Consider Targeted Medical Treatments
If your joint pain is persistent or severe, more targeted treatments may be the most effective option.
At Maragal Medical in Leominster, Massachusetts, patients with osteoarthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, gout, and other joint issues can benefit from:
- Joint Injections: These treatments deliver medicine or supplements directly into the painful joint to reduce stiffness, ease pain, and restore range of motion.
- Regenerative Medicine: These treatments help to restore mobility and reduce inflammation by supporting the body’s natural healing processes.
When should you see a doctor? If joint pain is persistent, severe, or accompanied by swelling, redness, or limited mobility, it’s time to consult a healthcare professional. Early evaluation can prevent long-term damage and open the door to more effective treatment options.
Survive The Cold Without Pain
Winter doesn’t have to mean weeks of stiffness and discomfort. With the right combination of at-home care and professional treatment, you can stay active and comfortable all season long.
At Maragal Medical, we work with patients to take on winter-related joint pain. Schedule your consultation today, and rest assured, a more comfortable winter is possible, no matter what the weather brings.