The Barometric pressure is the measure of the pressure of the air exerted onto the earth. The weight of this air or its pressure on us is measured by a barometer.

Generally speaking, low pressure weather systems begin with changes to the barometric pressure. They usually bring winds accompanied by a rapid air pressure drop as the front arrives. The center of the front continues with a rapid air pressure reduction and increased humidity, followed by an equally rapid rise in air pressure and decreased humidity after the front passes.

So low pressure weather systems, especially rapid moving ones, bring extreme changes in temperature, pressure, humidity, along with gusty winds. Add several storms back to back and you have what I call inflammatory weather and all the triggers needed to bring out some of your body’s physical weak links.  

In terms of the human body, barometric pressure changes can exacerbate or trigger bulging discs, joints, old chronic injuries like sprained knees and ankles, back pain, radiating nerve conditions, prior surgeries, even migraines and cluster headaches.

A low barometric pressure system affects the body by having less gravitational forces exerted on it; it feels as if the air is definitely heavier.

When the barometric pressure is low and the humidity is high, this extra weight impedes our mobility and irritates our joints. Rapid and repeated changes in the air pressure prevent our bodies from proper repairing and recovering from our workouts. So it's a tough time to workout when you have a stormy humid afternoon or evening... I would avoid those days if possible

 Patients with bulging discs, our spine’s water filled shock absorbers, are especially vulnerable to these rapid changes in barometric pressure. Even the fluid capsules surrounding the joints of our hands and knees, as well as those in our spine, become inflamed with low barometric pressure, many times causing almost intolerable levels of pain.

These rapidly changing weather patterns, or what I refer to as the ‘yo yo effect’, many times are similar to repetitive stress injuries that are significantly reticent to improve until the erratic weather pattern changes.

The best weather to work out in is High Pressure with low Humidity this is why places like the desert southwest and Southern California offer great training places for athletes.  

Keep an eye on the weather and when it starts to go yo-yo it's time to ease up a bit on your routine or you'll risk injury and even slow joint recovery.