Uncover 5 Reasons Your Joints Ache in Winter

Understanding Winter Joint Pain

You may be wondering why your joints tend to hurt in the winter. While there’s no definitive reason, a couple of theories might explain this phenomenon:

1. One belief is that cold temperatures cause nerves and blood vessels to shrink, reducing circulation to your limbs to keep your core warmer. This decline in blood flow to your extremities can result in pain in those areas.
2. Another theory suggests that changes in barometric pressure can make your tendons expand, increasing pressure on your joints.

Chronic Pain and Cold Weather

If you’re already managing chronic pain, the winter months may exacerbate these issues. Cold air can be particularly triggering for those with chronic pain.

“When you have chronic pain or conditions such as arthritis, your nerve endings in those areas become more sensitive to cold, and you perceive it as painful,” explains Linda Scholl, DPT, a physical therapist at the University Orthopaedic Center.