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While the link between weather and arthritis is complex and not fully understood, many people with arthritis report that changes in barometric pressure, particularly drops, can worsen their joint pain, potentially due to tissue expansion and increased pressure on joints. 

Here’s a more detailed explanation:

• Theories on the Connection:
  • Tissue Expansion: Some theories suggest that when barometric pressure drops, tissues, including muscles, tendons, and ligaments, can expand slightly. 
  • Increased Pressure: This expansion can put pressure on joints, potentially leading to pain and discomfort, especially in people with arthritis where the joint space may already be reduced. 
  • Nerve Sensitivity: The wearing down of cartilage in arthritis can expose nerve endings, making them more sensitive to pressure changes. 
  • Circulation and Fluid Pressure: Some researchers suggest that atmospheric changes can affect circulation and fluid pressure in joints, potentially increasing inflammation. 

Can You Feel the Weather in Your Bones?

Do you have an elder in your life who could predict the weather just by how their body felt? Or maybe you’ve heard stories of ancestors who swore they could sense an approaching storm in their bones?

As a child, I remember my Japanese grandma often complaining of pain when the weather turned cold, rainy, or both. My parents did the same, though they were less vocal—just slower movements, rubbing sore joints, or quietly pulling out heating pads.

I never truly understood their pain until I reached my 30s, when I first experienced the sharp discomfort of arthritis in my hip. By my 40s, the pain had spread to my knees, leading to an official diagnosis of arthritis in both. In my 50s, I underwent double knee replacement surgery, and by my late 50s, I made a big move to Las Vegas.

That move was life-changing. My orthopedic surgeon and physical therapist had told me that the dry heat of the desert would be good for my body—and they were right. For six years, I lived nearly pain-free.

But I missed home.

Returning to Seattle, I knew I’d be facing a new challenge—one that wasn’t just about nostalgia, but about my body adjusting once again to the damp, cool climate. And let me tell you, it has been a challenge.

Becoming a Human Barometer

I’ve always been a researcher—I like to understand what I’m dealing with. I’ve long believed that barometric pressure plays a role in how my body feels, but I recently realized that both high and low pressure shifts affect my pain levels. The humidity and precipitation seem to have an impact too.

I can’t yet predict whether my pain will be mild or severe on a given day, but I’ve started tracking weather patterns and my symptoms, hoping to find some kind of rhythm or warning signs. I’m essentially becoming a walking weather log, trying to figure out how to prepare my body for what’s to come.

What About You?

Have you experienced weather-related pain? Do you believe the barometric pressure, humidity, or temperature shifts affect your body? Maybe you’ve heard similar stories from elders in your life? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

LadyFlava of LadyFlavaNews

Let’s Talk About The Weather and Body Pain.