[KoK! Health] "Is it going to rain?"... Overcoming Joint Pain That Worsens During the Jangma Season

Patients with arthritis often complain of increased pain on cloudy or rainy days. Professor Kim Won of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at Seoul Asan Medical Center explained, "Although it has not been medically proven, it is said that joint pain tends to be more intense when humidity is high or during low atmospheric pressure." He added, "Due to the low pressure brought by the monsoon front, the pressure inside the joint relatively increases, which can compress the nerves distributed in the synovial membrane inside the joint, causing pain."

Among various types of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic inflammatory disease caused by immune dysfunction, tends to react sensitively to high humidity and low atmospheric pressure, resulting in intensified pain. Additionally, during the monsoon season, it often rains all day, reducing outdoor activities. The decrease in physical activity compared to usual is also a cause of increased pain. Arthritis patients may experience worsening of their condition during the monsoon season, making it harder to endure than the hot summer.

Especially during the monsoon season, the surrounding environment becomes hot and humid, leading people to habitually turn on air conditioners or fans to reduce the high humidity. However, keeping such cooling devices on for extended periods can worsen pain in arthritis patients. The cold air causes the muscles around the joints to tense up, further compressing the nerves. Blood circulation is also impaired, reducing the secretion of substances and nutrients that alleviate pain. Professor Kim Won advised, "The ideal ambient humidity for joint health is around 50%." He added, "If the indoor humidity is high and cooling devices are used excessively for a long time, the ambient humidity can drop below 50%, which may be harmful to arthritis patients." If you cannot control the cooling devices directly, it is better to reduce exposure to cold air by wearing long-sleeved outerwear or using a knee blanket, and to keep the temperature difference between indoors and outdoors within 5 degrees Celsius.

To improve intensified pain, it is best not to strain the joints. Exercises that put pressure on the joints, such as squatting or jumping, should be avoided. When symptoms are chronic, warm compresses help by promoting blood circulation within the joints, alleviating pain. Cold compresses are used when pain occurs acutely or when there is swelling. Taking medication also helps, so if symptoms worsen, it is better not to endure the pain but to take analgesic anti-inflammatory drugs.

Also, when symptoms occur, it is best to rest and avoid movement. Not moving can reduce pain to some extent, but excessive movement can worsen symptoms. However, it is a misconception that exercise worsens arthritis, so there is no need to avoid all exercise. If physical activity is unconsciously reduced due to arthritis pain, joint function and muscles will continue to weaken. When muscles weaken, joint movement becomes unstable, and pain worsens. Therefore, appropriate exercise is important to reduce joint pain. Light exercises that do not strain the joints, such as stretching, swimming, and yoga, are recommended, and taking a walk outdoors when the rain temporarily stops can also be helpful.