During monsoon, especially the elderly, people suffering from arthritis and patients with old fractures experience more stiffness, swelling and pain in the joints. Understand from the doctor why this happens and know the ways to avoid it.

Causes of joint pain in monsoon: While the monsoon season brings greenery, coolness and freshness, it also becomes a cause of trouble for some people, especially those who are suffering from chronic joint pain, arthritis or recovery after any bone surgery. In the rainy season, complaints of pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints of knees, waist and hands and feet often increase. This is a common problem, which is directly related to the change in weather.

According to orthopedic specialists, the increased humidity and decreased temperature in the monsoon season affects the tissues around the joints. This leads to increased swelling, stiffness and pain in the joints and the bones start weakening. This humidity affects the tissues around our joints, causing them to swell a bit and feel stiff, especially this problem occurs more in the knees and back.

Why does joint pain increase during the rainy season?

Dr. Nitin Verma of the Orthopedic Department at Max Hospital says that the problem of joint pain increases in some people during monsoon. This mostly happens to those who already have arthritis or any disease related to the spine. The reason for increased pain in this season is that the atmospheric pressure (barometric pressure) also decreases during monsoon, which creates pressure in the liquid and gaseous elements inside the body. This has a direct effect on the bones and joints, which can increase swelling and pain.

Apart from this, physical activity is reduced during monsoon. People go out less, do not move around and often sit in one place. This reduces the speed of muscle and joint activity, which leads to stiffness in the body.

When the temperature drops with the rain, the muscles and ligaments of the body start to stiffen. This hinders the movement of bones and joints, and even a slight movement starts to cause pain.

In such a situation, some effective measures can be taken for relief.

– If there is persistent pain, get your bones checked.

– First of all, it is important to keep the body and especially the joints warm.

– Wear light warm clothes and if needed, apply hot water compress.

-Lightly massage with mustard or coconut oil.

-Massage increases blood flow in the joints and reduces swelling.

-This improves blood circulation in the muscles and reduces stiffness.

-Do exercises like light stretching, yoga, walking or cycling at home.

-Take a diet rich in calcium, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids.

-Milk, curd, almonds, flax seeds, fish oil, green vegetables keep the bones strong.