17 Dec Weather Related Pain: How Changes in Weather Can Affect the Body
Our bodies are highly resilient and can adapt to many external changes, such as weather, temperature, and pressure. However, these changes can have an internal effect on our muscles, tendons, joints and bones often contributing to weather related pain. You may have noticed on colder periods of the year, the body may feel more achy or stiff. The exact reason why we can feel sore in different weather conditions isn’t fully known but there is research towards uncovering these questions.
Neck and/or back pain, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, nerve-related pain, and headaches are the conditions most commonly associated with weather related pain and are often affected by changes in weather factors.
Weather Related Pain Conditions
Some specific medical conditions seem to flare up with changes in weather:
- Gout attacks may be triggered by weather changes that affect the buildup of uric acid crystals in joints.
- Chronic Lower Back pain can be affected by temperature and atmospheric pressure
- Kidney stones tend to happen more often during hot seasons, possibly due to dehydration.
- Chronic Headaches are one of the most prevalent disorders, with a high percentage of 50%-75% of adults affected per year. Studies on individuals who experience chronic headaches indicate atmospheric pressure as a likely migraine trigger, while other data suggest that high wind velocity, relative humidity and low ambient temperature might also be linked to the advancement of episodic migraine attacks
Temperature and Pain
We have special sensors in our brain and body that react to different temperatures – cold sensors and heat sensors. Studies found that, when exposed to sudden cold, these temperature sensors may become more active, which can increase pain or trigger a headache. Cold weather also appears to activate certain joint sensors that alter blood flow to the joints. This may increase joint-related pain, such as arthritis.
Air Pressure and Pain
A study on certain animals experiencing nerve damage was conducted in Japan. In rats, low pressure increased the activity of certain brain cells related to pain, particularly those connected to the eyes and head. They found that low air pressure, which occurs just before a storm, can make pain feel worse in these animals. This could explain why some people get migraines or facial pain when the weather changes.
Humidity and Wetness
We sense wetness by combining temperature and pressure perception, as well as sound input. Recent research suggests that we have a cold sensor that might also help us detect skin wetness. People with migraines have reported greater sensitivity to forehead moisture, the site of their migraines, even when their overall temperature is normal.
Inflammation and Immune Responses
Inflammation and the immune response can also be affected by the weather, which can then alter pain and contribute to weather-related pain. Local swelling is a sign of inflammation and contributes to stiffness and pain. Swelling can be affected by weather, which may exacerbate pain. Very hot or very cold temperatures, in combination with high humidity, have been shown to increase levels of certain chemicals in joints that cause pain and tissue damage in animal studies.
Some hormones may also affect changes in pain sensitivity by acting on the immune system. One such hormone is melatonin, which helps regulate sleep and supports the immune system. Melatonin levels vary with the seasons and may influence pain levels, particularly in conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
- Weather changes — like lower air pressure, cold, wind, rain and humidity — can affect how we feel pain.
- These effects may involve brain and nerve activity, hormone levels, immune responses, and mood.
- Some weather-related body changes are well-understood (like how cold affects joints), whereas others need more research
Although the weather can be quite unpredictable, understanding how weather related pain can affect our bodies allows us to adjust our atmosphere accordingly. Or even having this understanding can cancel out other factors to get to the bottom of certain pain conditions.
Understanding Weather Related Pain with Western Myotherapy
While the weather is something we can’t control, understanding how it influences weather related pain can help you better manage symptoms. If you’re experiencing ongoing pain, stiffness or flare-ups that seem to worsen with weather changes, a myotherapy assessment can help address contributing factors and support your body through tailored treatment and movement strategies.
To book an appointment or learn more, contact our friendly reception team on (03) 8001 2042 or make an appointment online.
Source: Gyöngyi Horvath, Kamilla Nagy, Gabor Tuboly, Edit Nagy, Pain and weather associations, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0361923023001211
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