Scientists from the University of Manchester have been looking at how and if the weather affects peoples pain levels. The study was funded by the charity ‘Versus Arthritis’ and looked at data collected from 2,658 people, who provided daily information on pain levels for six months. The group had a range of different health issues, predominantly arthritis, but also including fibromyalgia, migraine and neuropathic pain.
The researchers found sufferers were 20% more likely to be in pain on days that are humid and windy with low atmospheric pressure than on days with average weather.
According to the research, humid days were the most likely to be painful, whereas dry days were the least likely. Low pressure and higher wind speed were also linked to more painful days, although to a lesser extent than humidity.
“Yet, despite much research examining the existence and nature of this relationship, there remains no scientific consensus.
“Given we can forecast the weather, it may be possible to develop a pain forecast knowing the relationship between weather and pain.
“This would allow people who suffer from chronic pain to plan their activities, completing harder tasks on days predicted to have lower levels of pain.”