Aches, pains of cold weather

Years ago, a farmer I knew well would call me and ask, “Is it going to rain?” I had an old knee injury, and within 24 hours of rain, it would alert me to it. He always said that my knee was better at telling the weather than the one on the news channel. So, before spraying, he would call me. What was good for his farming techniques was painful to my knee, but why?

Forty years later, that pain has since moved from my left knee to my right knee, right arm, back and every other joint in my body. Today, more than ever, but the weather man should be saying, “Cloudy with a chance of pain.” The Cleveland Clinic may have an answer to the question: fact or fiction.

In a January 16, 2023, article “How changes in weather affect joint pain,” the health.clevelandclinic.org website delves into those questions as to why our joints ache when the weather changes.

One study that looked at pain felt by 13,000 people living in the United Kingdom with the conditions such as arthritis. They all were subject to increased pain on the days with higher humidity,

Lower barometric pressure, and stronger winds. However, other studies have shown just a casual or mild relationship between changing weather and achy joints. But why do some people feel it while others don’t, or at least feel it less?

According to the Cleveland Clinic, barometric pressure measures the weight of the air in the atmosphere pressing down against us. On average, the atmosphere exerts 14.7 pounds per square inch on the earth’s surface. But as the weather changes, so does that pressure.

Decreasing pressure typically brings in worsening weather, which means air presses a little less on the body. That lack of compression allows tissues within the body to swell slightly, causing irritation in the joints. Much like a pair of compression socks, the barometric pressure helps to control the swelling.

The speed of pressure changes also makes a difference. A sudden drop in pressure as a storm blows into the region creates more noticeable aches than a slow, gradual pressure decline. Thus, the reason for the sinus headache, that many times occur before a storm.

Colder temperatures also have an effect on the body. Lower barometric pressure also brings weather that tends to be cooler, and that doesn’t do the joints any good either. Cold can make muscles, ligaments and joints stiffer and more painful.

Between the joints is an oily fluid that can become thicker when it’s cold or the pressure changes. This prevents the oily fluid from lubricating the joint as well and can lead to pain when in movement.

Simple moving to a different climate really isn’t the answer to all of your aches and pains because changing barometric pressure cannot be avoided.

However, you can take some steps to help prevent, ease, or relieve weather related joint pain. First, being active can help loosen those muscles, tendons, and ligaments that tend to tighten when not moved. That’s why the little shark song says, “move it, move it, move it!” Staying in motion lubricates those joints and loosens the muscles, so we are not, in my later grandmother’s words, “all stove up!”

Stretching regularly and doing yoga are great ways to increase flexibility and maintain joint health. If you every watch an animal, after laying for a length of time, when they get up, they always stretch. It is suggested that doing stretches to keep the neck, back, and shoulders loose will help.

Staying warm is another way to reduce the pain of cold weather. The cold stiffens muscles, so dressing warm will help keep the pain away. A hot shower or heating pad will also help if weather-related aches appear. Putting heat to the hurting areas can help increase the blood flow and loosen tight ligaments, tendons and connective tissue.

Research also shows that foods such as green tea, berries, and broccoli can reduce inflammation. In addition to that, reducing sugars are another way to help avoid inflammation. As always, eating better can have a positive effect on the body, especially when it comes to reducing inflammation.

There are some anti-inflammatory medications that can help reduce the pain, so talking to your healthcare provider may be able to help you with that. I, however, prefer to take the natural route.

When the weather changes, “aging gracefully” is a little hard with all the joint and muscle pain from the barometric pressure, but like always, exercise, stretching, and a good diet helps as a preventive measure. Otherwise, hook up that heating pad, fix a hot cup of tea, and wrap up.