Many patients in Winnipeg often tell me they can predict the weather by how their joints feel. Knee, hip, and shoulder aches seem to flare during cold snaps. Migraines and tension headaches sometimes feel worse on damp, overcast days. Even those with fibromyalgia notice subtle shifts in pain with changing weather. As a chiropractor and athletic therapist, I treat these conditions regularly, and I wanted to look at what research really says about weather and pain.
Winnipeg’s climate is particularly variable. According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, winter temperatures can dip below -30°C, summer highs reach 30°C, and the city experiences rapid changes between these extremes. With such dramatic swings, it is easy to understand why patients feel their pain may be linked to the weather.
While some patients swear by their “weather-predicting knees,” scientific research on weather and pain is mixed. Some studies find connections, while others do not. Here are seven insights from the literature that may help explain why weather affects pain for some people but not others.
1. Cold Weather Often Increases Joint Pain
Low temperatures are frequently associated with worsened pain in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. In one study on hand osteoarthritis, both temperature and relative humidity showed significant links to pain, stiffness, and function (Timmermans et al., 2014). Cold weather can make muscles stiffer and joint fluid thicker, which may increase discomfort. However, individuals perceive pain differently, so predicting pain based solely on cold weather is not always accurate.
2. Middle-Aged Adults May Feel More Weather-Related Pain
In rheumatoid arthritis, people aged 50–65 were about 15–16% more likely to experience flares on colder days (Abasolo et al., 2013). Winnipeg patients in this age range may notice that cold snaps affect their joints more. Still, responses vary among individuals, so some middle-aged adults may not experience noticeable changes in pain.
3. Humidity Plays a Role in Hand Osteoarthritis Pain
Relative humidity has been shown to influence pain in osteoarthritis of the hands (Timmermans et al., 2014). High humidity can cause slight swelling around the joints, increasing pressure and discomfort. Winnipeg’s humid summers and icy, damp winters may make these effects more noticeable. However, not all patients perceive pain changes with humidity, which can make predicting pain challenging.
4. Changes in Barometric Pressure Can Affect Pain
Fluctuations in atmospheric pressure are linked to pain severity in some patients. In end-stage hip osteoarthritis, absolute changes in barometric pressure from one day to the next increased pain levels (Brennan et al., 2012). Even if temperature remains stable, joints may ache more on days when pressure changes rapidly. Predicting pain from pressure alone is difficult because responses differ by person.
5. Limited Evidence for Weather and pain in those with Fibromyalgia
While patients with fibromyalgia often report sensitivity to weather, studies show only small effects. One study found that weather conditions affected pain or fatigue in only 10–20% of participants (Bossema et al., 2013). Other factors like sleep, stress, activity, and emotional state often play a larger role, making weather-based predictions unreliable.
6. Expectation Influences Perception of Weather and Pain
Sometimes, patients report more pain simply because they expect it. Research shows that people perceive correlations between weather and pain even when the data do not support it (Redelmeier & Tversky, 1996). Anticipating pain on cold, rainy, or humid days can amplify discomfort, which helps explain why some patients feel weather changes more than others.
7. Individual Sensitivity to Weather and Pain Varies
Systematic reviews suggest that while group-level effects of weather on rheumatoid arthritis are minimal, some individuals are highly sensitive (Smedslund & Hagen, 2011). Winnipeg’s extreme and variable climate may make these differences more noticeable. Each person’s pain response is unique, so predicting how weather will affect you is never guaranteed.
Managing Pain During Weather Changes
While we cannot control the weather, there are ways to manage your body’s response. Chiropractic care, acupuncture, myofascial release, and instrument-assisted techniques can reduce joint stiffness and improve movement. Staying active, maintaining a consistent exercise routine, and protecting joints from extreme cold can also help. Even if weather predicts nothing, proactive care can minimize discomfort.
References and External Links
- Environment and Climate Change Canada – Winnipeg Climate
- Timmermans, E.J. et al. (2014). Influence of weather on osteoarthritis of the hands.
- Abasolo, L. et al. (2013). Weather conditions may worsen symptoms in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
- Brennan, S.A. et al. (2012). Influence of weather variables on pain severity in end-stage osteoarthritis.
- Bossema, E.R. et al. (2013). Influence of weather on daily symptoms of pain and fatigue in fibromyalgia.
- Redelmeier, D.A. & Tversky, A. (1996). On the belief that arthritis pain is related to the weather.
- Smedslund, G. & Hagen, K.B. (2011). Does rain really cause pain?
Originally posted on May 17, 2022 @ 4:39 pm