Pain and Rain

I have always loved a good thunderstorm, the rain pounding on my skin the sudden cool after a hot summer day, the amazing lightning and wind, it is empowering. My mom hated thunderstorms, she was always afraid of them, as a kid I am sure my lack of fear scared her all the more. I would go outside and enjoy it and she would not. She'd yell for me to come inside (it was the 80s when kids played outside) and I would only hear the thunder and rain it was exhilarating for me,  a nightmare for her. 

Something that has developed in my life in recent years that has changed my relationship with rain is pain. When it is going to rain two things happen, my neck and my knee hurt. The right side of my neck and that shoulder ache always in a low way, due to 3 herniated discs and a pinched nerve from a slip on the ice a few years ago. Currently on a typical day, on a scale from 1-10, it's a 2-3 most days, which is within my tolerance. Strain or rain can easily boost that a lot higher, a typical thunderstorm would be a 6-7 a bad one or if it rains for days, can easily have me above that level. My left knee, I have had 7 surgeries on in over my life and now it's a haven for arthritis (love getting old). 

One thing that helps me alot with both of these is Absolute Nature's CBD roll-on. I had gotten a CBD roll-on from a dispensary a few years ago. It was very small and very expensive, about the size of a lipgloss roll-on, it worked pretty well though on the pain in my neck and shoulder, but didn't last very long. Then I found Absolute Nature CBD that makes the CBD roll-on that I currently use, and won't switch. It is about the same size as a deodorant roll-on, is a lot stronger, and a lot less expensive than the one I got from the dispensary. It has a cooling effect, so if you don't like that feeling maybe one of their other products would be your preference. This winter I am using their Salve which doesn't make me cold and works great.

Would you like to know more about CBD uses and how CBD works?

OrthoBethesda.com answers the question Why Does My Body Ache When It Rains?

"Barometric (or atmospheric) pressure, temperature, humidity, and precipitation can influence joints. This makes it a bit difficult to know the exact factor that makes the weather affect joints when it’s rainy, humid or cold." That is kind of vague, but acknowledges that there is a connection between rain and pain.

WebMD agrees, answering the question Does Weather Affect Joint Pain? 

"It’s common to blame joint pain flare-ups on changes in the weather, and many doctors believe people can feel more joint pain on cold, rainy days. But the research on the connection between the two isn’t clear."

AICA Orthopedics answers the question Why Do Past Injuries Hurt When It Rains?

"You may think that there’s no truth in the fact that some people’s aches and pains can forecast weather change. But studies do confirm that weather conditions can impact the body in various ways, including triggering a flare-up of past injuries. For some, the barometric pressure may affect arthritis of the joints, causing pain when the weather changes. For others, migraines occur more frequently in certain weather conditions. Whatever the science behind it, it does seem that weather-related pain is a real condition."

Harvard Medical School answers the question What Triggers Weather-realeted Joint Pain? and With cold, damp weather upon us, my joints seem to ache more. Why?

"Research still hasn't confirmed a cause-and-effect link between weather and joint pain, though many people insist they can predict the weather based on such aches. It's believed that changes in barometric pressure — which happen as weather systems change — trigger these sensations in the joints. Less air pressure surrounding the body can allow muscles, tendons, and other tissues around joints to expand. This can place pressure on joints, possibly leading to pain. Another possibility is that you do things on cold, damp days that can worsen joint pain or stiffness, such as sit on the couch for hours watching movies. Also, since you're expecting discomfort when the weather shifts, you may notice joint aches more than you would otherwise. To ward off weather-related joint pain, keep moving with regular exercise and stretching.

I am one of those people that insist there's a connection. How about you?