🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:
Response:
Calculated Shard: 53 (from laksa094)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:
Response:

3. Robots.txt Check

Query:
Response:

4. Spam/Ban Check

Query:
Response:

5. Seen Status Check

ℹ️ Skipped - page is already crawled

📄
INDEXABLE
CRAWLED
5 days ago
🤖
ROBOTS ALLOWED

Page Info Filters

FilterStatusConditionDetails
HTTP statusPASSdownload_http_code = 200HTTP 200
Age cutoffPASSdownload_stamp > now() - 6 MONTH0.2 months ago
History dropPASSisNull(history_drop_reason)No drop reason
Spam/banPASSfh_dont_index != 1 AND ml_spam_score = 0ml_spam_score=0
CanonicalPASSmeta_canonical IS NULL OR = '' OR = src_unparsedNot set

Page Details

PropertyValue
URLhttps://www.menshealth.com/health/a33854291/why-does-knee-hurt-rain/
Last Crawled2026-04-18 04:46:35 (5 days ago)
First Indexed2020-09-01 16:49:06 (5 years ago)
HTTP Status Code200
Content
Meta TitleWhy Your Knees Hurt When It Rains - Treatments
Meta DescriptionDiscovering what's happening that makes your knees hurt when it rains and use these tips to take knee pain away.
Meta Canonicalnull
Boilerpipe Text
There are studies that people have more joint pain when cold or rainy weather is coming. And there are studies that find that there’s no relationship between the weather and joint pain. “There are a slew of scientists who think associating joint pain with rain is akin to a rodent predicting an extended winter,” says Milo F. Bryant, CSCS, owner of Milo-Limitless Fitness in Del Mar, California. “There’s no definitive proof on either side.” Or, really, there’s quite a bit of evidence on both sides. A 2007 study from Tufts University, published in the American Journal of Medicine , for instance, looked at what happened to 200 people with osteoarthritis of the knee when the weather changed. “They found that for every 10-degree drop in temperature, knee pain went up. Increases in barometric pressure also were associated with worsened pain,” explains MH advisor Michael Fredericson, MD, FASM, Professor and Director, PM&R Sports Medicine, at Stanford University. When Dutch researchers looked at the effect of the weather on people with hip osteoarthritis, “they discovered that pain scores worsened by one point for each 10 percent rise in humidity. Function scores also declined as barometric pressure increased,” he adds. And he points out that other studies have shown conflicting results, citing one study that matched the weather to more than 11 million Medicare visits and found no link between joint pain and the weather, and two more from Australia that basically found the same thing. Why your knees might be hurting But the fact is, plenty of people who have arthritis in their joints do feel more pain when it’s cold or rainy. “Changes in barometric pressure may make your tendons, muscles, and any scar tissue around the joint expand and contract, creating pain in joints affected by arthritis,” says Dr. Fredericson. Low temperatures can also thicken synovial fluid in the joints, making them feel achy. “Synovial fluid is essentially 10w-40 for our joints. It allows them to glide and move with smoothness and efficiency during rotation, flexion, and extension,” says Bryant. So if that synovial fluid thickens, it makes sense that your joints feel more stiff. Take it seriously if your knees hurt All of our experts told us that it doesn’t matter what the weather studies say. If you have knee pain, you need to respect the pain and do what it takes to make it better. “I take an ontological approach to my training, meaning that what is present is real for my athletes,” says Bryant. If they feel pain, “we have to prepare and deal with that reality. And they don’t have to move to a warmer climate for that preparation.” The first thing you need to do if your knees hurt in bad weather is get them checked out, says Joshua Grahlman, PT, DPT, founder of Clutch PT in Manhattan. “I spend as much time helping people get out of the patterns they’ve created in compensating for their pain as I do on helping people with what’s been causing their pain,” he says. "Younger, healthy people really shouldn't be feeling air pressure changes in their joints," Grahlman says. Usually, that happens when there's already some arthritis in the joint. But there are many other reasons for knee pain , so it's important to get the right diagnosis. What to do if your knees hurt when it rains “Live by the mantra, ‘motion is lotion,’” says Grahlman. “That means you should move the joint as much as possible. If you stop moving because of pain, it’s going to hurt even more when you do move. The body doesn’t just respond to stimulus, it responds to a lack of stimulus as well.” Credit: . Beyond just doing low-impact exercises like yoga, swimming , or easy cycling, find someone to help you develop an appropriate strength training program as well. That can help you maintain strength and a good range of motion that will keep pain down over the long run, Grahlman explains. “A true strength training program; one that includes ample fundamental movement skills and drills, and takes athletes’ bodies to end ranges of motion under appropriate loads,” says Bryant. “Consistency in such a program helps the athlete maintain a body with more than enough joint mobility and stability to handle Mother Nature’s ups and downs.” To cut down on the episodic pain, Dr. Fredericson says, “Consider an anti-inflammatory diet to decrease systemic inflammation, which is associated with increased inflammatory markers in the joints.” A taste-friendly anti-inflammatory diet: the Mediterranean diet . When the weather’s bad and your joints are hurting, also “try to stay warm with additional layers of clothing, take frequent warm showers, baths, or saunas, and consider pain medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, curcumin, or CBD,” Dr. Fredericson says. Marty Munson, currently the health director of Men's Health, has been a health editor at properties including Marie Claire, Prevention, Shape and RealAge. She's also certified as a swim and triathlon coach.
Markdown
[![Search](https://www.menshealth.com/_assets/design-tokens/fre/static/icons/search.f1c199c.svg)Search](https://www.menshealth.com/search/) ![Close](https://www.menshealth.com/_assets/design-tokens/fre/static/icons/close.38e3324.svg) *** - [About Men's Health](https://www.menshealth.com/about/a29134632/about-mens-health/) - [Newsletter](https://www.menshealth.com/newsletter) - [Subscribe](https://membership.menshealth.com/mens-health-mvp-premium-membership-5999.html?cds_tracking_code=mhlpanelnav) - [My Bookmarks](https://www.menshealth.com/my-stuff/) - [MVP Exclusives](https://www.menshealth.com/mvp-exclusives/) - [Shop](https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a65424843/shop-mens-health-training-guides/) - [Health Conditions Hub](https://www.menshealth.com/health-conditions-hub/) - [Fitness](https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/) - [Workouts](https://www.menshealth.com/workouts/) - [Weight Loss](https://www.menshealth.com/weight-loss/) - [Entertainment](https://www.menshealth.com/entertainment/) - [Sex and Relationships](https://www.menshealth.com/sex-women/) - [Life](https://www.menshealth.com/trending-news/) - [Technology and Gear](https://www.menshealth.com/technology-gear/) - [Style](https://www.menshealth.com/style/) - [Nutrition](https://www.menshealth.com/nutrition/) - [Grooming](https://www.menshealth.com/grooming/) - [Men's Health Awards](https://www.menshealth.com/mens-health-awards/) - [Video](https://www.menshealth.com/videos/) - [Follow](https://www.menshealth.com/health/a33854291/why-does-knee-hurt-rain/) - [Health](https://www.menshealth.com/health/) - [Other Editions](https://www.menshealth.com/) [Privacy Notice](https://www.hearst.com/-/us-magazines-privacy-notice)[Terms Of Use](https://www.hearst.com/-/us-magazines-terms-of-use) [Skip to Content](https://www.menshealth.com/health/a33854291/why-does-knee-hurt-rain/#main-content) US - [US](https://www.menshealth.com/) - [UK](https://www.menshealth.com/uk/) - [España](https://www.menshealth.com/es/) [Newsletter](https://www.menshealth.com/email/menshealth-newsletter/) [Sign in](https://www.menshealth.com/auth/csrf?action=login&return_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.menshealth.com%2Fhealth%2Fa33854291%2Fwhy-does-knee-hurt-rain%2F) [Sign in](https://www.menshealth.com/auth/csrf?action=login&return_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.menshealth.com%2Fhealth%2Fa33854291%2Fwhy-does-knee-hurt-rain%2F) [Subscribe](https://membership.menshealth.com/mens-health-mvp-premium-membership-5999.html?cds_tracking_code=mhltopnav) [Sign in](https://www.menshealth.com/auth/csrf?action=login&return_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.menshealth.com%2Fhealth%2Fa33854291%2Fwhy-does-knee-hurt-rain%2F) [Sign in](https://www.menshealth.com/auth/csrf?action=login&return_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.menshealth.com%2Fhealth%2Fa33854291%2Fwhy-does-knee-hurt-rain%2F) [Subscribe](https://membership.menshealth.com/mens-health-mvp-premium-membership-5999.html?cds_tracking_code=mhltopnav) US - [US](https://www.menshealth.com/) - [UK](https://www.menshealth.com/uk/) - [España](https://www.menshealth.com/es/) [Newsletter](https://www.menshealth.com/email/menshealth-newsletter/) [Sign in](https://www.menshealth.com/auth/csrf?action=login&return_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.menshealth.com%2Fhealth%2Fa33854291%2Fwhy-does-knee-hurt-rain%2F) [Sign in](https://www.menshealth.com/auth/csrf?action=login&return_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.menshealth.com%2Fhealth%2Fa33854291%2Fwhy-does-knee-hurt-rain%2F) [Subscribe](https://membership.menshealth.com/mens-health-mvp-premium-membership-5999.html?cds_tracking_code=mhltopnav) - Fitness![Down](https://www.menshealth.com/_assets/design-tokens/fre/static/icons/caret-left-regular.5546078.svg) - Health & Wellness![Down](https://www.menshealth.com/_assets/design-tokens/fre/static/icons/caret-left-regular.5546078.svg) - Entertainment![Down](https://www.menshealth.com/_assets/design-tokens/fre/static/icons/caret-left-regular.5546078.svg) - Style![Down](https://www.menshealth.com/_assets/design-tokens/fre/static/icons/caret-left-regular.5546078.svg) - Gear![Down](https://www.menshealth.com/_assets/design-tokens/fre/static/icons/caret-left-regular.5546078.svg) - Video![Down](https://www.menshealth.com/_assets/design-tokens/fre/static/icons/caret-left-regular.5546078.svg) - Member Perks![Down](https://www.menshealth.com/_assets/design-tokens/fre/static/icons/caret-left-regular.5546078.svg) - About Us![Down](https://www.menshealth.com/_assets/design-tokens/fre/static/icons/caret-left-regular.5546078.svg) - [My Bookmarks](https://www.menshealth.com/my-stuff) - [Newsletter](https://www.menshealth.com/email/menshealth-newsletter) - US![Down](https://www.menshealth.com/_assets/design-tokens/fre/static/icons/caret-left-regular.5546078.svg) - [Privacy Notice](https://www.hearst.com/-/us-magazines-privacy-notice) [Terms Of Use](https://www.hearst.com/-/us-magazines-terms-of-use) [![x](https://www.menshealth.com/_assets/design-tokens/fre/static/icons/social/x.3361b6d.svg?primary=%2523000000&id=social-button-icon)](https://x.com/menshealthmag) [![tiktok](https://www.menshealth.com/_assets/design-tokens/fre/static/icons/social/tiktok.603c377.svg?primary=%2523000000&id=social-button-icon)](https://www.tiktok.com/@menshealthmag?lang=en) [![youtube](https://www.menshealth.com/_assets/design-tokens/fre/static/icons/social/youtube.ce3e1ae.svg?primary=%2523000000&id=social-button-icon)](https://www.youtube.com/user/MensHealthMag/) [![facebook](https://www.menshealth.com/_assets/design-tokens/fre/static/icons/social/facebook.a5a3a69.svg?primary=%2523000000&id=social-button-icon)](https://www.facebook.com/MensHealth) [![instagram](https://www.menshealth.com/_assets/design-tokens/fre/static/icons/social/instagram.f282b14.svg?primary=%2523000000&id=social-button-icon)](https://www.instagram.com/menshealthmag/) [![pinterest](https://www.menshealth.com/_assets/design-tokens/fre/static/icons/social/pinterest.e8cf655.svg?primary=%2523000000&id=social-button-icon)](https://www.pinterest.com/menshealthmag/) - [Fitness](https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/) - [Health & Wellness](https://www.menshealth.com/health/) - [Entertainment](https://www.menshealth.com/entertainment/) - [Style](https://www.menshealth.com/style/) - [Gear](https://www.menshealth.com/technology-gear/) - [Video](https://www.menshealth.com/videos/) - [Member Perks](https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a44362707/mens-health-mvp-membership/) - [About Us](https://www.menshealth.com/about/a29134632/about-mens-health/) - [More](https://www.menshealth.com/health/a33854291/why-does-knee-hurt-rain/) 1. [Health](https://www.menshealth.com/health/) 2. [Health and Nutrition Tips](https://www.menshealth.com/health-and-nutrition-tips/) 3. [This Is Why Your Knees Hurt When It Rains](https://www.menshealth.com/health/a33854291/why-does-knee-hurt-rain/) # This Is Why Your Knees Hurt When It Rains But they probably don't have to. By [Marty Munson](https://www.menshealth.com/author/220835/marty-munson/ "Marty Munson") Published: Aug 31, 2020 6:07 PM EDT ![Open share options](https://www.menshealth.com/_assets/design-tokens/fre/static/icons/social/sharing.89c15b8.svg) ![this doesn't feel right](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/this-doesnt-feel-right-royalty-free-image-1598911579.jpg?crop=0.543xw:1.00xh;0.317xw,0.00317xh&resize=640:*) PeopleImages//Getty Images Our product picks are editor-tested, expert-approved. We may earn a commission through links on our site. [Why Trust Us?](https://www.menshealth.com/technology-gear/a43807148/our-expertise-mens-health-product-reviews/) There are studies that people have more joint pain when cold or rainy weather is coming. And there are studies that find that there’s no relationship between the weather and joint pain. “There are a slew of scientists who think associating joint pain with rain is akin to a rodent predicting an extended winter,” says Milo F. Bryant, CSCS, owner of [Milo-Limitless Fitness](http://milopower.com/) in Del Mar, California. “There’s no definitive proof on either side.” Or, really, there’s quite a bit of evidence on both sides. A [2007 study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17466654/) from Tufts University, published in the *American Journal of Medicine*, for instance, looked at what happened to 200 people with osteoarthritis of the knee when the weather changed. “They found that for every 10-degree drop in temperature, knee pain went up. Increases in barometric pressure also were associated with worsened pain,” explains MH advisor [Michael Fredericson, MD, FASM,](https://med.stanford.edu/profiles/ortho/michael-fredericson) Professor and Director, PM\&R Sports Medicine, at Stanford University. When Dutch researchers looked at the effect of the weather on people with hip osteoarthritis, “they discovered that pain scores worsened by one point for each 10 percent rise in humidity. Function scores also declined as barometric pressure increased,” he adds. And he points out that other studies have shown conflicting results, citing one study that matched the weather to more than 11 million Medicare visits and found no link between joint pain and the weather, and two more from Australia that basically found the same thing. ## **Why your knees might be hurting** But the fact is, plenty of people who have arthritis in their joints do feel more pain when it’s cold or rainy. “Changes in barometric pressure may make your tendons, muscles, and any scar tissue around the joint expand and contract, creating pain in joints affected by arthritis,” says Dr. Fredericson. Low temperatures can also thicken synovial fluid in the joints, making them feel achy. “Synovial fluid is essentially 10w-40 for our joints. It allows them to glide and move with smoothness and efficiency during rotation, flexion, and extension,” says Bryant. So if that synovial fluid thickens, it makes sense that your joints feel more stiff. ## **Take it seriously if your knees hurt** All of our experts told us that it doesn’t matter what the weather studies say. If you have knee pain, you need to respect the pain and do what it takes to make it better. “I take an ontological approach to my training, meaning that what is present is real for my athletes,” says Bryant. If they feel pain, “we have to prepare and deal with that reality. And they don’t have to move to a warmer climate for that preparation.” The first thing you need to do if your knees hurt in bad weather is get them checked out, says Joshua Grahlman, PT, DPT, founder of [Clutch PT](https://www.clutchpt.com/) in Manhattan. “I spend as much time helping people get out of the patterns they’ve created in compensating for their pain as I do on helping people with what’s been causing their pain,” he says. "Younger, healthy people really shouldn't be feeling air pressure changes in their joints," Grahlman says. Usually, that happens when there's already some arthritis in the joint. But there are [many other reasons for knee pain](https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a29797701/knee-pain/), so it's important to get the right diagnosis. ## **What to do if your knees hurt when it rains** “Live by the mantra, ‘motion is lotion,’” says Grahlman. “That means you should move the joint as much as possible. If you stop moving because of pain, it’s going to hurt even more when you do move. The body doesn’t just respond to stimulus, it responds to a lack of stimulus as well.” [Hearst Magazines Subscribe to Men's Health](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001TP73UU?tag=menshealth-auto-20) [![Subscribe to Men's Health](https://hips.hearstapps.com/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/1597336938-518RDKQQC1L.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:*)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001TP73UU?tag=menshealth-auto-20) [Subscribe now](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001TP73UU?tag=menshealth-auto-20) Credit: . Beyond just doing low-impact exercises like yoga, [swimming](https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a26594882/swimming-exercises/), or easy cycling, find someone to help you develop an appropriate strength training program as well. That can help you maintain strength and a good range of motion that will keep pain down over the long run, Grahlman explains. “A true strength training program; one that includes ample fundamental movement skills and drills, and takes athletes’ bodies to end ranges of motion under appropriate loads,” says Bryant. “Consistency in such a program helps the athlete maintain a body with more than enough joint mobility and stability to handle Mother Nature’s ups and downs.” To cut down on the episodic pain, Dr. Fredericson says, “Consider an anti-inflammatory diet to decrease systemic inflammation, which is associated with increased inflammatory markers in the joints.” A taste-friendly anti-inflammatory diet: the [Mediterranean diet](https://www.menshealth.com/nutrition/a19543268/mediterranean-diet-benefits-entire-body/). When the weather’s bad and your joints are hurting, also “try to stay warm with additional layers of clothing, take frequent warm showers, baths, or saunas, and consider pain medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, curcumin, or CBD,” Dr. Fredericson says. ![Headshot of Marty Munson](https://hips.hearstapps.com/rover/profile_photos/d6816ade-7c3d-47e1-b009-17eed69683a2_1709217999.file?fill=1:1&resize=120:*) [Marty Munson](https://www.menshealth.com/author/220835/marty-munson/) Health Director Marty Munson, currently the health director of Men's Health, has been a health editor at properties including Marie Claire, Prevention, Shape and RealAge. She's also certified as a swim and triathlon coach. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below ## [Health and Nutrition Tips](https://www.menshealth.com/health-and-nutrition-tips/) [![a beet in a vise getting squashed and exploding beet juice](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/mh-supplementcheck-beetroot-index-665646da408bb.png?crop=0.500xw:1.00xh;0.250xw,0&resize=360:*)The Pros and Cons of a Beetroot Powder Supplement](https://www.menshealth.com/nutrition/a70996578/beetroot-supplement-health-benefits-exercise/) [![neatly aligned citrus and berry gummies form a dynamic diagonal across bright white selective focus, vitamins and healthy snack for kids promote healthy food, nutrition and healthy life](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/5922c881-4ce7-4557-bc04-45dde14bd20d.jpg?crop=0.666666666667xw:1xh;center,top&resize=360:*)So … What's the Deal With Gummies?](https://www.menshealth.com/nutrition/a70943188/gummie-vitamins-supplements/) [![eco friendly reusable shopping bag with multi coloured fresh vegetables and groceries on the table at home. shopping with reusable grocery bag](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/gettyimages-1431662903-6914dfd8665d7.jpg?crop=0.668xw:1.00xh;0.316xw,0&resize=360:*)21 Easy Ways to Lose Weight After 50](https://www.menshealth.com/weight-loss/a70909848/how-to-lose-weight-over-50/) [![cheese myths](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/b264ce03-d989-434e-aa39-d62bb71ca8b5.jpg?crop=0.502xw:1.00xh;0.247xw,0&resize=360:*)The 4 Biggest Myths About Cheese, Debunked](https://www.menshealth.com/nutrition/a65265543/cheese-healthy/) Advertisement - Continue Reading Below [![cheese board](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/cheeseboard-cheesepackage-69a8aaa8534aa.jpg?crop=0.502xw:1.00xh;0.250xw,0&resize=360:*)The 6 Best High-Protein Cheeses. Period.](https://www.menshealth.com/nutrition/a70697193/best-high-protein-cheeses/) [![background of brown eggs on blue background shot in the studio](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/179b27bf-5d22-4991-be64-bf7ba70b15d0.jpg?crop=0.667767815007xw:1xh;center,top&resize=360:*)How to Make Healthy Meal for \$3](https://www.menshealth.com/nutrition/a70769347/cheap-healthy-meals/) [![healthy snack concept, top view.](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/f6c4faf8-c9b4-4c6f-b7c9-3df9433f3915.jpg?crop=0.668xw:1.00xh;0.151xw,0&resize=360:*)Why More Food Companies are Using 'GLP-1 Friendly' Labels](https://www.menshealth.com/nutrition/a70699629/what-is-a-glp-1-friendly-food/) [![pattern of plastic water bottles with blue caps on a light blue background](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/gettyimages-1365643692-69a704078fd81.jpg?crop=0.668xw:1.00xh;0.177xw,0&resize=360:*)Can Microplastics Cause Prostate Cancer?](https://www.menshealth.com/health/a70588776/microplastics-prostate-cancer-study/) [![healthy healthiest breakfast cereals for men](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/healthiest-cereals-6528330ea2429.jpg?crop=0.670xw:1.00xh;0.125xw,0&resize=360:*)14 Healthy Cereals for a Nutritious Breakfast](https://www.menshealth.com/nutrition/g25411778/healthiest-cereals/) [![clock disappearing on black ground](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/3f2791b6-d11f-4a1e-8f35-66dc72b41c8e.jpg?crop=0.703972868217xw:1xh;center,top&resize=360:*)Is Your Pre-workout Hiding a Sinister Secret?](https://www.menshealth.com/nutrition/a70761622/pre-workout-sleep-problems/) [![a 3d rendering of pre filled glp 1 receptor agonist pens, meant to represent cagrisema](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/25eeeced-dc9f-4a02-ba19-2433c015fc22.jpg?crop=0.563xw:1.00xh;0.304xw,0&resize=360:*)The Race to Beat Ozempic Is Getting Weird](https://www.menshealth.com/health/a70623011/what-is-cagrisema-semaglutide-cagrilintide/) [![close up of burning wood in a fireplace.](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/6e5a8840-ae56-4a41-9a78-9b9baa95d451.jpg?crop=0.668xw:1.00xh;0.167xw,0&resize=360:*)Could Saunas Be an Answer for Extreme Depression?](https://www.menshealth.com/health/a70736969/saunas-for-depression-hotwired-book/) Advertisement - Continue Reading Below [![Logo](https://www.menshealth.com/_assets/design-tokens/menshealth/static/images/logos/logo.f037c7b.svg?primary=%2523ffffff)](https://www.menshealth.com/) [![x](https://www.menshealth.com/_assets/design-tokens/fre/static/icons/social/x.3361b6d.svg?primary=%2523ffffff&id=social-button-icon)](https://x.com/menshealthmag) [![tiktok](https://www.menshealth.com/_assets/design-tokens/fre/static/icons/social/tiktok.603c377.svg?primary=%2523ffffff&id=social-button-icon)](https://www.tiktok.com/@menshealthmag?lang=en) [![youtube](https://www.menshealth.com/_assets/design-tokens/fre/static/icons/social/youtube.ce3e1ae.svg?primary=%2523ffffff&id=social-button-icon)](https://www.youtube.com/user/MensHealthMag/) [![facebook](https://www.menshealth.com/_assets/design-tokens/fre/static/icons/social/facebook.a5a3a69.svg?primary=%2523ffffff&id=social-button-icon)](https://www.facebook.com/MensHealth) [![instagram](https://www.menshealth.com/_assets/design-tokens/fre/static/icons/social/instagram.f282b14.svg?primary=%2523ffffff&id=social-button-icon)](https://www.instagram.com/menshealthmag/) [![pinterest](https://www.menshealth.com/_assets/design-tokens/fre/static/icons/social/pinterest.e8cf655.svg?primary=%2523ffffff&id=social-button-icon)](https://www.pinterest.com/menshealthmag/) [About Men's Health](https://www.menshealth.com/about/a29134632/about-mens-health/)[Newsletter](https://www.menshealth.com/email/menshealth-newsletter)[Customer Care](https://service.menshealth.com/login?redirect=%2F)[E-prints, Reprints](http://www.wrightsmediapartners.com/sites/rodale/menshealth/)[Advertise](https://www.advertising.hearstmagazines.com/brands/men-s-health)[Subscribe](https://membership.menshealth.com/mens-health-mvp-premium-2.html?cds_tracking_code=mhlfooter)[Give a Gift](https://www.menshealth.com/gift-subscriptions/?cds_tracking_code=mhl_footer_gift)[Manage Email Preferences](https://preferencecenter.hearstmags.com/)[Media Kit](https://menshealthmediakit.com/r5/home.asp)[MVP Membership Perks](https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a44362707/mens-health-mvp-membership/)[MVP Training Lab](https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a45082203/mvp-fitness-training-plans/) ![Hearst Men's and Enthusiast Media Group - A Part of Hearst Digital Media](https://www.menshealth.com/_assets/design-tokens/menshealth/static/images/logos/network-logo.1a5b3ca.svg?primary=%2523ffffff) A Part of Hearst Digital Media We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. ©2026 Hearst Magazines, Inc. All Rights Reserved. [Privacy Notice](https://www.hearst.com/-/us-magazines-privacy-notice)[CA Notice at Collection](https://www.hearst.com/-/us-magazines-privacy-notice#_ADDITIONAL_INFO)[Your CA Privacy Rights/Shine the Light](https://www.hearst.com/-/us-magazines-privacy-notice#_ADDITIONAL_INFO)[DAA Industry Opt Out](https://www.hearst.com/-/us-magazines-privacy-notice#_OPT_OUTS)[Terms of Use](https://www.hearst.com/-/us-magazines-terms-of-use)[Site Map](https://www.menshealth.com/sitemap/) [Cookies Choices](https://www.menshealth.com/health/a33854291/why-does-knee-hurt-rain/ "Cookies Choices")
Readable Markdown
There are studies that people have more joint pain when cold or rainy weather is coming. And there are studies that find that there’s no relationship between the weather and joint pain. “There are a slew of scientists who think associating joint pain with rain is akin to a rodent predicting an extended winter,” says Milo F. Bryant, CSCS, owner of [Milo-Limitless Fitness](http://milopower.com/) in Del Mar, California. “There’s no definitive proof on either side.” Or, really, there’s quite a bit of evidence on both sides. A [2007 study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17466654/) from Tufts University, published in the *American Journal of Medicine*, for instance, looked at what happened to 200 people with osteoarthritis of the knee when the weather changed. “They found that for every 10-degree drop in temperature, knee pain went up. Increases in barometric pressure also were associated with worsened pain,” explains MH advisor [Michael Fredericson, MD, FASM,](https://med.stanford.edu/profiles/ortho/michael-fredericson) Professor and Director, PM\&R Sports Medicine, at Stanford University. When Dutch researchers looked at the effect of the weather on people with hip osteoarthritis, “they discovered that pain scores worsened by one point for each 10 percent rise in humidity. Function scores also declined as barometric pressure increased,” he adds. And he points out that other studies have shown conflicting results, citing one study that matched the weather to more than 11 million Medicare visits and found no link between joint pain and the weather, and two more from Australia that basically found the same thing. ## **Why your knees might be hurting** But the fact is, plenty of people who have arthritis in their joints do feel more pain when it’s cold or rainy. “Changes in barometric pressure may make your tendons, muscles, and any scar tissue around the joint expand and contract, creating pain in joints affected by arthritis,” says Dr. Fredericson. Low temperatures can also thicken synovial fluid in the joints, making them feel achy. “Synovial fluid is essentially 10w-40 for our joints. It allows them to glide and move with smoothness and efficiency during rotation, flexion, and extension,” says Bryant. So if that synovial fluid thickens, it makes sense that your joints feel more stiff. ## **Take it seriously if your knees hurt** All of our experts told us that it doesn’t matter what the weather studies say. If you have knee pain, you need to respect the pain and do what it takes to make it better. “I take an ontological approach to my training, meaning that what is present is real for my athletes,” says Bryant. If they feel pain, “we have to prepare and deal with that reality. And they don’t have to move to a warmer climate for that preparation.” The first thing you need to do if your knees hurt in bad weather is get them checked out, says Joshua Grahlman, PT, DPT, founder of [Clutch PT](https://www.clutchpt.com/) in Manhattan. “I spend as much time helping people get out of the patterns they’ve created in compensating for their pain as I do on helping people with what’s been causing their pain,” he says. "Younger, healthy people really shouldn't be feeling air pressure changes in their joints," Grahlman says. Usually, that happens when there's already some arthritis in the joint. But there are [many other reasons for knee pain](https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a29797701/knee-pain/), so it's important to get the right diagnosis. ## **What to do if your knees hurt when it rains** “Live by the mantra, ‘motion is lotion,’” says Grahlman. “That means you should move the joint as much as possible. If you stop moving because of pain, it’s going to hurt even more when you do move. The body doesn’t just respond to stimulus, it responds to a lack of stimulus as well.” [![Subscribe to Men's Health](https://hips.hearstapps.com/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/1597336938-518RDKQQC1L.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:*)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001TP73UU?tag=menshealth-auto-20) Credit: . Beyond just doing low-impact exercises like yoga, [swimming](https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a26594882/swimming-exercises/), or easy cycling, find someone to help you develop an appropriate strength training program as well. That can help you maintain strength and a good range of motion that will keep pain down over the long run, Grahlman explains. “A true strength training program; one that includes ample fundamental movement skills and drills, and takes athletes’ bodies to end ranges of motion under appropriate loads,” says Bryant. “Consistency in such a program helps the athlete maintain a body with more than enough joint mobility and stability to handle Mother Nature’s ups and downs.” To cut down on the episodic pain, Dr. Fredericson says, “Consider an anti-inflammatory diet to decrease systemic inflammation, which is associated with increased inflammatory markers in the joints.” A taste-friendly anti-inflammatory diet: the [Mediterranean diet](https://www.menshealth.com/nutrition/a19543268/mediterranean-diet-benefits-entire-body/). When the weather’s bad and your joints are hurting, also “try to stay warm with additional layers of clothing, take frequent warm showers, baths, or saunas, and consider pain medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, curcumin, or CBD,” Dr. Fredericson says. ![Headshot of Marty Munson](https://hips.hearstapps.com/rover/profile_photos/d6816ade-7c3d-47e1-b009-17eed69683a2_1709217999.file?fill=1:1&resize=120:*) Marty Munson, currently the health director of Men's Health, has been a health editor at properties including Marie Claire, Prevention, Shape and RealAge. She's also certified as a swim and triathlon coach.
ML Classification
ML Categories
/Health
99.7%
/Health/Health_Conditions
92.6%
/Health/Health_Conditions/Arthritis
80.5%
Raw JSON
{
    "/Health": 997,
    "/Health/Health_Conditions": 926,
    "/Health/Health_Conditions/Arthritis": 805
}
ML Page Types
/Article
99.9%
/Article/How_to
71.5%
Raw JSON
{
    "/Article": 999,
    "/Article/How_to": 715
}
ML Intent Types
Informational
99.9%
Raw JSON
{
    "Informational": 999
}
Content Metadata
Languageen-us
AuthorMarty Munson
Publish Time2020-08-31 22:07:00 (5 years ago)
Original Publish Time2020-08-31 22:07:00 (5 years ago)
RepublishedNo
Word Count (Total)1,197
Word Count (Content)825
Links
External Links20
Internal Links59
Technical SEO
Meta NofollowNo
Meta NoarchiveYes
JS RenderedNo
Redirect Targetnull
Performance
Download Time (ms)208
TTFB (ms)187
Download Size (bytes)96,050
Shard53 (laksa)
Root Hash17186278611954284253
Unparsed URLcom,menshealth!www,/health/a33854291/why-does-knee-hurt-rain/ s443