Can Cool Weather Trigger Joint Pain?

CLEVELAND - As temperatures drop this fall, many people may be wondering if the cold is causing their joint pain to pick up.

"Does cold weather cause pain? The answer is sometimes yes and sometimes no. It really depends on the person,” said Andrew Bang, DC, a chiropractor with Cleveland Clinic.

According to Dr. Bang, people who already deal with joint pain may notice their symptoms more when the weather gets colder.

One possible reason is that cooler temperatures can narrow blood vessels, which reduces blood flow to the joints.

People also tend to be less active when it gets cold, and not moving as much can make stiffness and discomfort even worse. 

To ease joint pain, Dr. Bang recommends staying active, applying heat to sore areas and bundling up before heading outdoors.

If you have persistent pain that’s not letting up, it’s best to check in with your doctor.

"You should seek help for joint pain when you're doing the simple things, and they’re just not working,” Dr. Bang said. “For example, you're putting on the heat, you're stretching, you're moving, you're layering up before you head outside, but the joint pain is really disrupting your activities of daily living."

Dr. Bang said your doctor can come up with additional treatment options for any long-term joint pain.