There rings some truth to the Old Wives’ Tale that aching bones and joints are signs of changing weather.

A common complaint of those suffering from conditions like Arthritis, Bursitis and even dislocations caused by injury is the increased frequency of joint pain during the winter months.

Because their bodies are more sensitive to the chilly weather, painful joints may signal to some individuals that rain, snow, and storms are on the way.

Read on to find out why this is and how you can better prepare yourself to weather…the weather.

What is Joint Pain?

According to the Mayo Clinic, joint pain refers to discomfort, pain or inflammation arising from any part of a joint — including cartilage, bone, ligaments, tendons or muscles.

It typically applies to the following conditions:

• Arthritis: Redness and swelling (inflammation) of a joint.
• Bursitis: Inflammation of bursae (fluid-filled sacs that cushion bones, tendons, and muscles near your joints)
• Arthralgia: Joint stiffness

What Triggers Joint Pain?

Mentioned above are just a few causes of painful joints, but there are also external factors at play – the weather included.

And it seems as though the daily weather forecast holds a greater influence over joint pain than initially thought.

Elements like precipitation, humidity, and barometric pressure are likely triggers for aching joints.

Of these three, barometric pressure appears to have the largest impact on joint pain.

Barometric Pressure is the weight of the air in our atmosphere. When this pressure is high, it pushes against your body from the outside and prevents joint tissue from expanding.

But as this pressure drops with colder weather, the tissues are free to enlarge. When this happens, your joints essentially have little to no space to comfortably occupy your body.

This weighs them down, resulting in pain...and pretty accurate weather predictions by those with joint conditions.

How Can You Better Prepare Yourself in the Winter Time?

The good news is the chilly weather doesn’t need to be something you dread. Follow the tips below to make the cold weather season a little more pleasant for yourself and your joints.

1. Dress Warmly

This tip is a no-brainer, but your choice in clothing for the day could mean the difference between an especially difficult outing and a manageable one.

You also want to dress in layers in case you do decide to shed your coat or sweater indoors.

A good rule of thumb is to always keep your muscles warm if possible.

2. Move Around 

Have you ever noticed how stiff your muscles become the moment you stop moving them? Staying active can help prevent this.

During exercise, your body creates synovial fluid which lubricates your joints and keeps them pain-free.

Swimming in a heated pool is one of the best wintertime exercises for those with joint conditions.

3. Massage Your Joints

One of the more luxurious options, getting a massage is always a good idea.

This method relaxes the muscles to ease tension from expanded joint tissue and reduces feelings of stiffness.

You’ll achieve even better results if you work in some magnesium oil!

4. Get in Omega - 3’s

This fatty acid reduces your bodies inflammatory response that contributes to swollen joints. This supplement is also known to increase blood flow to muscles during exercise to keep joints and muscles limber rather than tight.

5. Supplement With Magnesium Chloride 

For those suffering from joint pain, magnesium levels should be addressed. This is because the body suffers from oxidative stress when it’s magnesium deficient which may trigger joint pain.

Similarly, magnesium deficiencies and bodily inflammation go hand in hand.

Magnesium is an anti-inflammatory and helps prevent swollen joints. Making sure to intake magnesium whether orally with Magnesium Chloride USP or topically as Epsom Salt, Bath Flakes or Oil will have you beating those winter blues caused by painful joints.

You can shop our entire collection of magnesium products below for a pain-free and healthier holiday season.

Related Posts:

• Got Arthritis? You Should Add Magnesium to Your Diet
• The Best Way to Use Magnesium to Improve Fibromyalgia
• Should You Use Epsom Salt or Magnesium Chloride to Ease Pain?