Clinically, many patients with arthritis believe that their joint symptoms worsen when the weather changes. Common perception also tells us that “changes in joint pain are a barometer of the weather”. Also, many people experience that a hot shower can reduce joint pain and stiffness. 1. But can weather changes really affect joints? If so, how exactly does it affect them? In 1961, Dr. J. Hollander, a leading arthritis expert, found that high humidity and low air pressure can increase joint pain and stiffness, mainly because low air pressure can cause inflammatory joint swelling, which can stimulate the surrounding nerves and cause joint pain and stiffness. A 2007 study published in the American Journal of Medicine showed that changes in temperature or air pressure can affect joint pain. But scientists still don’t know why the weather affects joint pain. A possible theory is that cold affects the range of motion of joints or the flow of joint fluid. Second, some arthritis patients do report increased joint symptoms due to changes in weather. In fact, this is not true for all arthritis patients, and there is no specific weather change that affects people. Each individual with arthritis must be evaluated independently. Although there are no scientific studies that clarify the relationship between weather changes and arthritis, each arthritis patient should be aware of the results of their joint symptoms that can occur as a result of weather changes and make timely adjustments to their lifestyle patterns as well as medications. 2. If the findings of this study are correct, should arthritis patients move to live in drier climates? The answer is no. There is no difference in the long-term effects of different climates on the joints. Scientific studies have shown that wherever people live, our bodies adjust to the local climate to achieve balance. The result is that changes in weather affect joint symptoms in the same way regardless of the overall average weather conditions in the actual place of residence. Moving to a new environment will not improve joint symptoms in the long run. 3. If a patient does experience increased joint pain and stiffness as a result of weather changes, how severe is the damage to the joints? The only effects of weather on joints are felt as joint symptoms, such as pain and stiffness, and there is no evidence of joint damage due to weather changes. There is also no evidence that weather changes are associated with the development of arthritis.