Why your joint pain is worse in winter... and what to do about it

As the chilly weather sets in, you might start to notice a familiar ache creep into your joints.

- BY CAMILLA FOSTER

But is this seasonal discomfort just a coincidence?“All joints can be affected, but it can be particularly noticeable in joints with complex bone structures furthest away from our core body, with hands and feet being particularly susceptible to these pains,” says Jon Taberner, community rehabilitation implementation specialist at Nuffield Health. “If you have damaged or worn joints, you will also likely see an increase in pains in these joints in colder weather.”

“People are generally less active in the winter months because it’s colder outside,” says London-based physiotherapist Ben Lombard.

“This reduced activity can lead to reduced lubrication and muscle weakness, which can cause joint pain.

Joints are surrounded by something called a synovial membrane, and synovial fluid is produced by that membrane.