The correlation between lower air pressure and joint pain

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - If you feel pain when there is rain, storms, snow, etc... the air pressure may be playing a role.

Barometric pressure measures the weight of the air pressing down on us. On average, the atmosphere exerts 14.7 pounds per square inch (psi) on the Earth’s surface.

Barometric pressure changes along with temperatures changes can lead to joint pain.(wsmv)

You hear the terms low pressure and high pressure all the time, but what exactly do those words mean? If high pressure is present, usually that means drier, sunnier conditions. With low pressure, there’s typically worsening weather (often times cooler weather).

When the air is pressing less on our bodies (low pressure), the lack of compression allows tissues in your body to swell which can irritate your joints.

Cold air, often associated with lower pressure, can make your ligaments, joints, and muscles stiffer and more painful.

Doctors recommend doing the following things to relieve joint pain:

Reviewing your diet
Being active and stretching regularly
Staying warm/heat treatment
Using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAIDs)

Because pressure changes happen everywhere in the world, moving to a warmer climate would not eliminate joint pain. While cold weather can exacerbate pain in joints, the main sensitivity is to the change in pressure.