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 [Harvard Health Publishing ](https://www.health.harvard.edu/) [Harvard Health Publishing](https://www.health.harvard.edu/) [HarvardHealthOnline+](https://www.health.harvard.edu/hho-plus?utm_source=site&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=top_button) Search [Customer Service](https://www.health.harvard.edu/customer-service) [Content Licensing](https://www.health.harvard.edu/licensing) [About Us](https://www.health.harvard.edu/about-us) [Log In](https://www.health.harvard.edu/login) Open mobile menu [Free HealthBeat Signup](https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat) Shop [Subscriptions](https://www.health.harvard.edu/subscribe) [Special Health Reports](https://www.health.harvard.edu/special-health-reports) [Online Courses](https://www.harvardhealthonlinelearning.com/catalog) [Pay Subscription Bill](https://www.health.harvard.edu/pay-bill) [Common Conditions](https://www.health.harvard.edu/category/common-conditions) [Staying Healthy](https://www.health.harvard.edu/category/staying-healthy) [Resources](https://www.health.harvard.edu/resources) [Blog](https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog) [COVID-19 Updates](https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/coronavirus-resource-center) Close menu [HarvardHealthOnline+](https://www.health.harvard.edu/hho-plus?utm_source=site&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=mobile_button) ## Main Content - [Common Conditions](https://www.health.harvard.edu/category/common-conditions) - [Staying Healthy](https://www.health.harvard.edu/category/staying-healthy) - [Resources](https://www.health.harvard.edu/resources) - [Blog](https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog) ## Helpful Links - [Customer Service](https://www.health.harvard.edu/customer-service) - [About Us](https://www.health.harvard.edu/about-us) - [Content Licensing](https://www.health.harvard.edu/licensing) - [Free Healthbeat Signup](https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat) - [Subscriptions](https://www.health.harvard.edu/subscribe) - [Special Health Reports](https://www.health.harvard.edu/special-health-reports) - [Online Courses](https://www.harvardhealthonlinelearning.com/) - [Pay Subscription Bill](https://www.health.harvard.edu/pay-bill) Close Recent Articles [ Trying to lose weight? Be careful not to lose muscle](https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/trying-to-lose-weight-be-careful-not-to-lose-muscle) [ Is your skin problem actually an autoimmune condition?](https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/is-your-skin-problem-actually-an-autoimmune-condition) [ People with diabetes face higher risk of hearing loss](https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/people-with-diabetes-face-higher-risk-of-hearing-loss) [ Antibiotic-free fixes for recurrent UTIs](https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/antibiotic-free-fixes-for-recurrent-utis) [ Musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause: When menopause makes you ache all over](https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/musculoskeletal-syndrome-of-menopause-when-menopause-makes-you-ache-all-over) [ When can older women stop getting mammograms?](https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/when-can-older-women-stop-getting-mammograms) [ To lose weight, especially harmful belly fat, combine diet and exercise](https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/to-lose-weight-especially-harmful-belly-fat-combine-diet-and-exercise) [ Can men hold off on treating recurring prostate cancer?](https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/can-men-hold-off-on-treating-recurring-prostate-cancer-202512193108) [ The 7 types of rest and why we need them all](https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/the-7-types-of-rest-and-why-we-need-them-all) [ What are the early warning signs of cervical cancer?](https://www.health.harvard.edu/cancer/what-are-the-early-warning-signs-of-cervical-cancer) / [Pain](https://www.health.harvard.edu/topics/pain) # What triggers weather-related joint pain? ## Ask the doctors November 1, 2022 By [Toni Golen, MD](https://www.health.harvard.edu/authors/toni-golen-md), Editor in Chief, *Harvard Women's Health Watch;* Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing; Contributor, and [Hope Ricciotti, MD](https://www.health.harvard.edu/authors/hope-ricciotti-md), Editor at Large, *Harvard Women's Health Watch* Share [Share this page to Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.health.harvard.edu%2Fpain%2Fwhat-triggers-weather-related-joint-pain&display=popup) [Share this page to X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.health.harvard.edu%2Fpain%2Fwhat-triggers-weather-related-joint-pain&text=What%20triggers%20weather-related%20joint%20pain?%20-%20Harvard%20Health&tw_p=tweetbutton&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.health.harvard.edu%2Fpain%2Fwhat-triggers-weather-related-joint-pain) [Share this page via Email](<mailto:?subject=Great health news for you from the experts at Harvard&body=Check out this link from Harvard Health: What triggers weather-related joint pain? - https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/what-triggers-weather-related-joint-pain>) Copy this page to clipboard Print This Page Click to Print **** **Q.** *With cold, damp weather upon us, my joints seem to ache more. Why?* **A.** Research still hasn't confirmed a cause-and-effect link between weather and joint pain, though many people insist they can predict the weather based on such aches. It's believed that changes in barometric pressure — which happen as weather systems change — trigger these sensations in the joints. Less air pressure surrounding the body can allow muscles, tendons, and other tissues around joints to expand. This can place pressure on joints, possibly leading to pain. Another possibility is that you do things on cold, damp days that can worsen joint pain or stiffness, such as sit on the couch for hours watching movies. Also, since you're expecting discomfort when the weather shifts, you may notice joint aches more than you would otherwise. To ward off weather-related joint pain, keep moving with regular exercise and stretching. **Image: © justocker/Getty Images** ## About the Authors  Toni Golen, MD, Editor in Chief, *Harvard Women's Health Watch;* Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing; Contributor Dr. Toni Golen is a physician specializing in obstetrics and gynecology, practicing in Boston. Dr. Golen completed her residency training at George Washington University Medical Center in 1995, and is an associate professor at Harvard Medical … [See Full Bio](https://www.health.harvard.edu/authors/toni-golen-md) [View all posts by Toni Golen, MD](https://www.health.harvard.edu/authors/toni-golen-md)  Hope Ricciotti, MD, Editor at Large, *Harvard Women's Health Watch* Dr. Hope A. Ricciotti is Editor at Large of Harvard Women’s Health Watch. She is an associate professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology at Harvard Medical School, and leads the department of obstetrics, gynecology, and … [See Full Bio](https://www.health.harvard.edu/authors/hope-ricciotti-md) [View all posts by Hope Ricciotti, MD](https://www.health.harvard.edu/authors/hope-ricciotti-md) Share [Share this page to Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.health.harvard.edu%2Fpain%2Fwhat-triggers-weather-related-joint-pain&display=popup) [Share this page to X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.health.harvard.edu%2Fpain%2Fwhat-triggers-weather-related-joint-pain&text=What%20triggers%20weather-related%20joint%20pain?%20-%20Harvard%20Health&tw_p=tweetbutton&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.health.harvard.edu%2Fpain%2Fwhat-triggers-weather-related-joint-pain) [Share this page via Email](<mailto:?subject=Great health news for you from the experts at Harvard&body=Check out this link from Harvard Health: What triggers weather-related joint pain? - https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/what-triggers-weather-related-joint-pain>) Copy this page to clipboard Print This Page Click to Print ## Disclaimer: As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. Recent Articles [ Trying to lose weight? Be careful not to lose muscle](https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/trying-to-lose-weight-be-careful-not-to-lose-muscle) [ Is your skin problem actually an autoimmune condition?](https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/is-your-skin-problem-actually-an-autoimmune-condition) [ People with diabetes face higher risk of hearing loss](https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/people-with-diabetes-face-higher-risk-of-hearing-loss) [ Antibiotic-free fixes for recurrent UTIs](https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/antibiotic-free-fixes-for-recurrent-utis) [ Musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause: When menopause makes you ache all over](https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/musculoskeletal-syndrome-of-menopause-when-menopause-makes-you-ache-all-over) [ When can older women stop getting mammograms?](https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/when-can-older-women-stop-getting-mammograms) [ To lose weight, especially harmful belly fat, combine diet and exercise](https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/to-lose-weight-especially-harmful-belly-fat-combine-diet-and-exercise) [ Can men hold off on treating recurring prostate cancer?](https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/can-men-hold-off-on-treating-recurring-prostate-cancer-202512193108) [ The 7 types of rest and why we need them all](https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/the-7-types-of-rest-and-why-we-need-them-all) [ What are the early warning signs of cervical cancer?](https://www.health.harvard.edu/cancer/what-are-the-early-warning-signs-of-cervical-cancer) / ## Related Topics [ Staying Healthy Strength training builds more than muscles](https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/strength-training-builds-more-than-muscles) [ Heart Health Safe and effective high-intensity interval training](https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/safe-and-effective-high-intensity-interval-training) [ Exercise & Fitness Foam rollers: Inexpensive tools with premium payoffs](https://www.health.harvard.edu/exercise-and-fitness/foam-rollers-inexpensive-tools-with-premium-payoffs) [Bone, Joint & Muscle Health](https://www.health.harvard.edu/topics/bone-joint-and-muscle-health) [Physical Activity](https://www.health.harvard.edu/topics/physical-activity) You might also be interested in…  ## The Joint Pain Relief Workout: Healing exercises for your shoulders, hips, knees, and ankles Is joint pain holding you back? Perhaps an achy ankle or sore knee is making it difficult to enjoy a run through your favorite park or even take a short walk. Or maybe a throbbing hip or shoulder prevents you from whacking a golf ball or performing simple tasks like carrying a bag of groceries. The exercises in this report, *The Joint Pain Relief Workout: Healing exercises for your shoulders, hips, knees, and ankles*, can help relieve ankle, knee, hip, or shoulder pain, and help you become more active again, which can help you stay independent long into your later years. [Read More](https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/the-joint-pain-relief-workout-healing-exercises-for-your-shoulders-hips-knees-and-ankles?utm_source=site&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=cross-sell) ## Free Healthbeat Signup Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox\! 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**** **Q.** *With cold, damp weather upon us, my joints seem to ache more. Why?* **A.** Research still hasn't confirmed a cause-and-effect link between weather and joint pain, though many people insist they can predict the weather based on such aches. It's believed that changes in barometric pressure — which happen as weather systems change — trigger these sensations in the joints. Less air pressure surrounding the body can allow muscles, tendons, and other tissues around joints to expand. This can place pressure on joints, possibly leading to pain. Another possibility is that you do things on cold, damp days that can worsen joint pain or stiffness, such as sit on the couch for hours watching movies. Also, since you're expecting discomfort when the weather shifts, you may notice joint aches more than you would otherwise. To ward off weather-related joint pain, keep moving with regular exercise and stretching. **Image: © justocker/Getty Images**