Joint pain doesn’t just impact the elderly. Sports injuries, growing pains and other joint related issues can arise for a variety of reasons in anyone. But, why does it seem like cold weather makes joint pain worse? Read to find out more about the relationship between weather and joint pain so you can be prepared this fall.

What Causes Joint Pain?

Joint pain is not an uncommon condition. Although it is often seen in elderly populations, joint pain can affect almost any age through a wide variety of conditions. Although it is common, joint pain can be avoided in most cases so it is important to get to the bottom of why you’re experiencing joint pain so that the underlying issues can be addressed.

One of the first questions you should ask yourself if you are experiencing joint pain is whether the pain could have been caused by an injury. If you recently have fallen or suffered an injury in an activity, joint pain could indicate an injury to the joint or the supportive joint tissues such as a sprain. These injuries require urgent medical care. Joint pain can also be caused by older, untreated injuries that did not heal well.

Why Do My Joints Hurt When the Weather Gets Cold?

If you’re experiencing chronic joint pain, there is a possibility that your joint pain seems more severe or frequent when the weather cools down. Although this does not happen to everyone who experiences joint pain, there is a real reason behind why some joint pain sufferers experience this.

Colder weather changes our body's circulation. As the temperature drops, our muscles and tendons contract and shrink. These changes may put additional strain on joints, making them feel painful when the weather cools down. Similarly, changes in barometric pressure occur as the weather cools down. This has been seen to cause increased sensitivity in scar tissues as well as tendons. It also contracts the fluid that cushions your joints. Although it may seem odd to think about, the change in weather conditions in fall and winter can actually cause some people to feel stiffness and even pain in their joints.

How to Reduce Joint Pain

Joint pain is a condition that requires professional medical advice. Without a proper diagnosis, it is not possible to supply an accurate plan for recovery or symptom management. However, generally speaking there are a few ways to lessen your chances of experiencing joint pain or lessening it.

• Low impact exercise like yoga
• Eating well to boost your immunity
• Cold or warm compresses (depending on the condition)
• Physical therapy
• Topical medications
• Massaging the affected area

It is important to seek medical guidance regarding joint pain to find the best methods of managing symptoms. In some cases, your doctor may be able to offer treatments such as injections or pain solutions.

Get Wellness Advice at AFC Urgent Care Linden

AFC Urgent Care Linden is here to provide medical advice regarding your chronic joint pain. With in house lab testing and x-rays available, your healthcare provider can identify the issue you are experiencing and help recommend a treatment plan. They may also refer you to a specialist for treatment. To learn more about preventative physical exams to keep you healthy moving forward, visit the physical exam page on our website.

With no appointments necessary, getting the care you need to reduce your joint pain is easy. Simply walk into our clinic in Linden, NJ, to speak to a dedicated team member. Or, call us today to speak to a medical provider about the services we provide at (908) 275-5922.