Some studies have shown that joint pain feels worse in the winter, says Maria Salgado, MD, a rheumatologist at Columbia. When it's cold outside, nerves and blood vessels constrict in the arms and legs, decreasing blood flow and circulation to keep our inner core (vital organs). Follow these four strategies to reduce cold weather joint pain through an anti-inflammatory lifestyle. Movement is the mainstay of musculoskeletal care, helping. Inclusion in an NLM database does not imply endorsement of, or agreement with, the contents by NLM or the National Institutes of Health. Cold exposure can be a risk factor, but any conclusion is obscure. Cold weather is a well-recognized trigger for increased joint symptoms, whether you have healthy joints or impacted with challenges such as osteoarthritis, past orthopedic injuries, or inflammatory associated with exercise or life itself. Arthritis and chronic pain worsen in winter; low-impact exercises and vitamin D can help alleviate symptoms. Winter aches are a. There isn't a single definitive answer, but researchers and medical experts have proposed several theories about why people experience increased joint discomfort in colder weather: 1.