The weather’s to blame for your aches and pains – or is it?
How an app is helping new research aimed at confirming or dispelling the age-old belief that back discomfort and osteoarthritis are linked to inclement weather
Question: My aches and pains are related to the weather, aren’t they?
The short answer: maybe.
The facts: people with arthritis or back pain often claim they can predict the weather based on the level of pain they are experiencing. The reasoning goes that changes in the weather, including temperature, humidity, air pressure, wind direction and precipitation, can trigger episodes of pain.
But new research from The George Institute for Global Health in New South Wales, Australia has revealed that the weather plays no part in the symptoms associated with either back pain or osteoarthritis.
“The belief that pain and inclement weather are linked dates back to Roman times. But our research suggests this belief may be based on the fact that people recall events that confirm their pre-existing views,” says Professor Chris Maher of the institute. “Human beings are very susceptible so it’s easy to see why we might only take note of pain on the days when it’s cold and rainy outside, but discount the days when they have symptoms but the weather is mild and sunny.”
