[Protecting Health During the Rainy Season③] "My knees ache, it must be raining soon"... Why You Should Be Careful with Joints During the Rainy Season

Pain May Worsen Due to Air Pressure and Humidity
Excessive Air Conditioning Can Also Aggravate Pain
Proper Exercise Is Essential

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chunhee] "Oh dear, my knees are aching... Is it going to rain soon?" This is a common phrase among elderly people with arthritis whenever it seems like rain is coming. What connection could there be between arthritis and the weather that makes knees ache when rain is expected?

Professor Kim Won of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at Seoul Asan Medical Center explained, "There is no medically definitive proof of a correlation between weather and arthritis symptoms," but added, "The low pressure brought by the monsoon front tends to lower the pressure inside the joints relatively, making joint pain feel more intense." An imbalance occurs between the pressure inside the body’s joints and the external pressure, causing nerves distributed in the synovial membrane inside the joint to be compressed, resulting in pain.

Humidity can also stimulate muscles. The ideal atmospheric humidity for joints is considered to be 50%. However, during the monsoon season, humidity can rise up to 90%, and high humidity prevents evaporation of moisture from the body, which can tense the muscles around the joints. Due to these effects, many people complain of pain, saying "My whole body aches when it rains."

Additionally, during the monsoon season, continuous days of rain tend to reduce outdoor activities. When physical activity decreases compared to usual, the muscle strength around the joints diminishes, increasing the risk of joints stiffening and pain worsening.

Conversely, running air conditioning for long periods during the monsoon season and midsummer can also worsen joint health. Cold air can tense the muscles around the joints, further compressing nerves, and if humidity drops below the ideal 50%, it can negatively affect arthritis patients. It is recommended to keep the air conditioner temperature within 5 degrees Celsius of the outdoor temperature, and if adjusting the air conditioner is difficult, reducing exposure to cold air with knee blankets or similar measures is advisable.

How can arthritis be improved? First, avoid putting strain on the joints. Exercises that put pressure on the joints, such as squatting or jumping, should be avoided. Cold and hot compresses also help relieve pain. Cold therapy is recommended for acute pain or inflammation, while heat therapy is suitable for chronic symptoms. If symptoms worsen severely, taking pain relievers or anti-inflammatory drugs can be beneficial.

However, it is not necessary to avoid all exercise. When arthritis causes pain, most people reduce physical activity. But this can worsen joint function and muscle condition, creating a vicious cycle that intensifies pain. This is why maintaining joint flexibility through light stretching or walking is beneficial. Simply lying down indoors reduces blood circulation to the legs and decreases the ability of body tissues to utilize oxygen from the blood. Appropriate exercise can reduce joint pain and improve fatigue, so walking around the neighborhood or doing light stretching indoors after the rain stops is recommended.