Anti-Inflammation Tips: Aiding Your Arthritis and Other Joint Pains
October 08, 2025 | Tags:
The weather’s changing and you’ve heard people say it’s like they can “feel it in their bones.” Well, there’s some truth behind this saying!
Damp and cold weather can cause joints – places in your body where two bones meet – to hurt more due to inflammation. If you’re someone with joint pain or health conditions like arthritis, this can make everyday living more difficult. However, there are several ways you can manage or help alleviate your symptoms.
What is arthritis?
Arthritis is a general term for conditions that cause inflammation – pain, swelling and irritation – in your joints. This causes the joints to naturally wear down with age and is a common condition attributed to joint pain. One in five adults in the U.S. is affected by arthritis, generally in people over 50 years old. Joint discomfort from arthritis can most commonly be felt in the:
- Hands and wrists
- Feet and ankles
- Shoulders
- Knees
- Hips
- Lower back (lumbar spine)
There are more than 100 different types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and psoriatic arthritis. These can not only impact joint health but quality of life.
Yes, the (colder) weather affects joint pain
When the temperature drops, the blood vessels in your body narrow to try and conserve heat, reducing blood flow to your extremities and decreasing circulation. This worsens inflammation to the joints, which can cause stiffness, pain and discomfort, ultimately worsening joint pain as a result.
Restricted blood flow also makes it harder for your body to heal from injuries and fight infections. Viral infections like influenza, rashes or fevers can make joint pain worse and further exacerbate chronic conditions, like heart disease, obesity and diabetes.
Ways to help joint pain
There is no cure for joint pain, but there are many ways to manage it:
- Over the counter medication: Taking acetaminophen or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help relieve joint pain by reducing inflammation. Check with your primary care provider (PCP) before taking any medications. Don't take NSAIDs for more than 10 days in a row without speaking with your provider first.
- Nutrition: Inflammation is a natural immune response that can be affected by what you eat and drink. Certain foods can help soothe or even fight inflammation. The Mediterranean diet, which is loaded with lean meats, nuts and seeds, fruits and vegetables and whole grains, has been shown to have many health benefits.
- Exercise: Activity and movement help your body gain strength and function. Choose exercises that are right for you, like walking, swimming, low-impact aerobics or gentle stretches. Always check with your PCP before beginning or continuing any kind of exercise program.
- Staying warm: Depending on where you live, there are ways to combat colder temperatures. Layering with hats, gloves and scarves or using at-home remedies like heating pads on affected areas for a short time can help. Soaking in a warm bath is also a great way to loosen joints.
When to speak to your provider
Joint pain can be your body’s way of telling you that something’s off. Symptoms can range from mild to debilitating, sometimes interfering with your daily life, and could indicate a variety of joint issues, like arthritis. Talk to your PCP if you notice the following with your joint pain:
- Swelling or enlarged joints
- Stiffness or trouble bending or straightening joints
- Numbness
- Painful movements
- Loss of motion
See your PCP immediately if a joint is hot and swollen, if you experience pain with a fever or pain preventing you from walking, or unexplained weight loss of 10 pounds or more as these could indicate a serious medical condition, underlying illness or infection. Be prepared to answer questions about:
- Previous injuries to your joints.
- When joint pain began.
- The type of pain you’re experiencing.
- A family history of joint pain.
If you’re a person with rheumatoid arthritis and have concerns about the costs of your medications, talk to your pharmacist or call Medical Mutual’s Care Navigation team for information on medication assistance programs that may be available to you. Commercial members can call 1-800-258-3021 and MedMutual Advantage members can call 1-800-480-3105 to learn more. If you have concerns or questions about your medication or side effects, talk to your healthcare provider.
If you don’t have a PCP, Medical Mutual can help. Use our Find a Provider tool on My Health Plan to find one in your plan’s network or call the Customer Care number listed on your member ID card.