Does Warm Weather Cause Joint Pain?
By Sara Butler
You’ve probably heard your Great Aunt Gertrude complain about her knee and mention that a thunderstorm is on the way. While Aunt Gertrude might be a little silly, weather does have a way of impacting joints. Often, joint pain is associated with cold weather, but the truth is that the hot and balmy temperatures in summer can have an impact on certain conditions. Here’s what the chiropractors at The Joint think you should be on the lookout for.
Why Temperature Matters
The humidity of summer weather brings with it increased pain and swelling for many people. Many studies have found a link between the barometric pressure outside and the contraction or expansion of muscles, tendons, and scar tissues - often resulting in pain. This probably wasn’t the summer you envisioned!
If you feel the pain in your joints getting worse as the summer wears on, then you should see a chiropractor to find out what might be going on. Depending on what they find, they can work with you to create a treatment plan to help you manage the pain and enjoy your summer.
Conditions Impacted by Summer Weather
Chronic pain can flare in the summer and arthritis is certainly knowns to cause severe, chronic pain no matter what the thermometer reads. It’s not necessarily the change in temperature that causes pain to flare up as much as it’s the change in barometric pressure. When the weather changes, it can take some time for your body to properly adjust -- and that adjustment period can be quite painful.
How to Minimize Pain
There are several things you can do outside of seeing the chiropractors at The Joint to help manage your joint pain in summer. You should:
- Keep cool
- Stay hydrated
- Don’t overexert yourself outside
- Take frequent breaks to cool down
- Utilize your air conditioning
- Have a plan
Work with your chiropractor to make a plan of attack to fight back against pain and enjoy the splendor of the season.
At The Joint Chiropractic, we understand the impact joint pain can have in your daily life no matter the season. We want to help your body perform at its very best, which is why we offer natural, safe, and effective treatment to help you deal with injuries, illness, and pain.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in San Jose, Calif.