Low Pressure System A Literal Pain In The Neck
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Doctors in the Twin Cities say the low pressure system sitting over the Twin Cities, causing all the recent rains, is also causing pain for people.
“There are these barometric receptors that are in the joints, the ligaments and the tendons around major joints that can be affected by barometrics, humidity and cold weather systems as they come through,” said Dr. Sebastian Ksionski, a sports medicine doctor at Hennepin County Medical Center.
Specialists say the reason for the pain is due to quick changes in pressure in the outside air. While changes in air pressure happen quickly outside the body, inside the body can have trouble adjusting. People with old sports injuries or arthritis can feel the change in those spots.
For runners, the low pressure can make them feel fatigued after a regular run or heavy in their legs. That’s why Ksionski says it’s important to stretch, warm up and cool down. He also says you should continue keeping covered up.
“A lot of folks — especially with our weather now — they kind of underdressed,” said Ksionski. “There’s no snow out there so they think they can get by with a windbreaker. But when you have cold wind and rain you can really irritate those muscles and cause those myofascial compartments to really tighten up.”
Some people with severe arthritis or tendonitis leave Minnesota during the cold winter and chilly spring months. They choose to live in states like Arizona and Florida to prevent aches and discomfort in their joints.
Luckily, meteorologists say the low pressure system is gradually moving out of the Twin Cities. It should be mostly gone by late Friday afternoon.