Deborah Alsina MBE
Chief Executive of Arthritis UK
Science now proves a popular folklore correct – winter weather can make our joints feel more painful, according to Arthritis UK, which is sharing advice on how to manage symptoms.
The link between weather and joint pain has long been passed down through the generations.1
Research from the University of Manchester, funded by Arthritis UK, has validated these early suspicions. Its study, ‘Cloudy with a Chance of Pain’,2 recruited more than 13,000 people across the UK to track their symptoms daily in an app linked to local weather conditions. It found that higher humidity, lower pressure and stronger winds — in that order — were significantly associated with increased pain.
This means typical British winter days that are damp and windy can take a real toll on the 10 million3 of us living with a form of arthritis in the UK.
The report’s authors advised using the weather forecast to help plan activities to take greater control of your life. Here are some other top tips from Arthritis UK to consider this winter.
Take vitamin D
Vitamin D helps maintain bone health and also has anti-inflammatory properties. With fewer sunlight hours in the winter months, we absorb less vitamin D through our skin. To make up for this imbalance, consider taking a daily supplement of 10 micrograms.
Keep your home warm
The NHS advises keeping your home at 18 degrees or above. With the cost-of-living crisis, this can be a struggle to maintain, but the Government offers subsidised help through Cold Weather Payments, Warm Home Discount and Winter Fuel Payments. Eligibility for these schemes can be assessed on their website.
Vitamin D helps maintain bone health and also has anti-inflammatory properties
Stay active
Staying active is important year-round as physical exercise eases pain and increases joint strength and flexibility. Cold weather can make outdoor activities more challenging, so consider low-impact indoor activities such as swimming, yoga and Tai-Chi, which are widely recommended for people with arthritis by healthcare professionals.
Warm clothing
Keeping your body warm can ease stiffness in joints. Remember, lots of loose layers of clothing work better at trapping the heat than thicker clothes. If your hands feel chilly, try hand warmers or heated gloves. Wearing a hat will reduce the amount of heat you lose through your head and wearing thicker or two pairs of socks will help keep your feet warm. Some people find products such as compression wear, microwavable slippers or beanbags helpful.
