Pain from Changing Seasons

Do you often tell people that you know when it’s going to rain based on specific joint pain? Or perhaps you remember your grandfather saying he knew the weather forecast based on his knee acting up. That might actually be a real thing. Changes in barometric pressure are at the heart of this pain. Whether it’s in-between seasons or simply from an incoming thunderstorm, the change in pressure affects blood flow in your body and those joints where you feel pain. Typically when the pressure around you experiences a rapid change it can create swelling in your body’s tissues around joints. Here are some tips for dealing with weather-related pain:

• Move around: It may seem counter-intuitive since moving causes a lot of the joint pain you might experience, but moving and stretching is one of if not the best way to get blood flowing to ailing muscles and joints. Try stretching when you first wake up and regularly throughout your day.
• Eat anti-inflammatories: No, don’t gobble down a bunch of ibuprofen. We mean eat foods rich in anti-inflammatories like fatty fish, dark leafy greens, tomatoes, berries, and peppers. Try cooking up some recipes that include garlic, ginger, olive oil or turmeric as well.
• Preventative treatment: Seeking preventative medical treatment is always an option, too. Ask your doctor what he/she recommends for you and your specific situation.