Weather Changes and Joint Pain in Houston: Why Your Body Aches When It Rains

Houston’s unique climate pattern lends to high humidity fluctuations for our eternally long summers. We have a rainy season from March to May, September to October, and hurricane season from June to November. Heavy rainfall periods and tropical weather systems that affect the Gulf Coast can take a toll on our bodies and minds.

I recently shared a blog on how Houston weather affects allergies, and this blog focuses on a similar issue: the weather and pain connection that we experience in our wonderfully humid city of Houston. Sudden barometric pressure changes during storm systems can wreak havoc on our emotions and constitution. Seasonal weather shifts can impact residents in many ways.

Weather-Related Pain Symptoms: What Houston Residents Experience

These are typical symptoms reported by Houston residents when there is rain:

• Joint pain
• Soft tissue conditions (fibromyalgia, tendonitis, bursitis, etc.)
• Arthritis variants
• Asthma, allergies, or sinus pressure
• Headache and pressure
• Blood pressure fluctuations
• Pre-existing lung conditions like COPD

Demographics most affected by weather-related joint pain are: seniors, those with previous injuries, those who are sensitive to weather changes, overweight people, and headache or migraine sufferers. The frustration of unpredictable flare-ups can also affect emotions.

Why Does Change In Barometric Pressure Affect My Body?

Let’s talk about the science behind weather-related pain. Barometric pressure changes can affect the brain and the body. Biologically, there are some changes to note as well. Weather, especially rain, can trigger an avalanche of hormonal changes. Cloudy weather inhibits the production of serotonin (also known as our “happy hormone”). This can explain why people can feel sad when the sun is not out. In fact, rain affects circadian rhythms and clarifies why you tend to sleep better when it rains!

Melatonin also plays a role. With no sun, melatonin increases and often makes you want to crawl into bed and sleep, or just feel more fatigued on cloudy days.

It’s also interesting to note that rain affects all of us differently. Some people feel calmer and relaxed because the rain acts as white noise and can block out distractions and help you concentrate more.

Falling pressure before storms affects joint tissues and the thickness of joint fluid. As tissues expand and fluid pressure increases, pain can occur. When the lubricating fluid in your joints decreases, discomfort tends to follow. This process can trigger inflammation and heighten pain signals, making symptoms feel more intense. Houston’s high humidity reduces joint lubrication and increases inflammation, causing pain. It’s also important to note that hot and humid days increase sweating, which can lead to dehydration. And dehydration further worsens inflammation.

Can Weather Really Cause Arthritis Pain? What Research Shows

Recent scientific studies have provided evidence supporting the long-held belief that weather changes can influence joint pain, particularly in individuals with conditions like osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).​

A study published in the American Journal of Medicine found that fluctuations in barometric pressure and ambient temperature are independently associated with increased knee pain severity in OA patients. Similarly, research from the Journal of Rheumatology indicated that higher pain levels in women with hand OA were significantly associated with days of rising barometric pressure. ​

In the context of RA, a large-scale analysis utilizing the Kyoto University Rheumatoid Arthritis Management Alliance (KURAMA) database, which included over 23,000 joint assessments, demonstrated a significant association between low atmospheric pressure and increased joint synovitis. This aligns with patient reports of symptom exacerbation during periods of falling air pressure, such as before storms.​

While some studies have yielded mixed results, the consistent patient-reported experiences of weather sensitivity cannot be overlooked. Advancements in wearable technology now enable researchers to monitor physiological responses to environmental changes more accurately, potentially revealing subtle shifts in inflammatory markers during weather fluctuations.​

These findings validate the experiences of many individuals who report increased joint discomfort in response to changing weather conditions, particularly in regions with high humidity and temperature variations.​

Weather and Pain in Traditional Chinese Medicine: Understanding Dampness

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, weather and individual constitution are deeply interconnected. Have you ever heard the saying, “when there’s a full moon, there’s more chaos”? It might sound like folklore, but there’s truth to the idea. More babies are born at night—and even more during a full moon!

When we lived in Midtown, I noticed that full moons often brought out more unpredictable drivers. I vividly remember one night, driving on the freeway, glancing up at the full moon, and telling my husband to be extra careful. Just seconds later, a wrong-way driver came straight at us.

In TCM, rainy or humid weather is associated with dampness, one of the six external pathogenic factors that can cause illness. Dampness can be external (from the environment) or internal (from our body’s imbalance). And living in a climate like Houston’s, where it’s naturally damp, makes many of us more vulnerable to this condition.

People with a constitutionally weak digestive system (those born sick, prematurely, or with chronic imbalances, etc.) often have a weak spleen or stomach, which TCM identifies as the root of many health issues. Over time, internal dampness can also build up from poor dietary habits, like overeating, consuming too much sugar or heavy food, eating cold/raw foods, or drinking alcohol. Symptoms may show up as constipation, loose stools, or sluggish digestion.

In TCM, dampness is seen as an imbalance in the body’s ability to transform and transport water. This can manifest in a few ways: the body may retain water (accumulation), struggle to eliminate it properly (stagnation), or direct it improperly (such as abnormal discharges). Simply put, the body’s detoxification and fluid regulation systems become impaired, which leads to symptoms that can feel vague but disruptive—fatigue, heaviness, brain fog, and more.

How to Recognize Dampness in Your Body: 8 Common Signs

Dampness can be described as:

• Pain (worse with rain)
• Sticky or feeling incomplete bowel movement (having to wipe a lot when using the bathroom, not feeling fully evacuated)
• Slow moving (fatigue, lethargy)
• Heavy (can be feeling your head heavy or your body, common for people who drag their feet when they walk)
• Hard to get rid of
• Swollen or puffy face/limbs/eyebags
• Loss of appetite
• Weight gain or inability to lose weight

Think of dampness like mud. The clear part is our nutrients, and the dirt is the waste or the things the body needs to eliminate. When they mix and form mud, it becomes sticky, heavy, slow, and turbid. This is how dampness behaves in the body.

It’s hard to walk through mud. It clings to your shoes, weighs you down, and if it gets thick enough, it can even pull your shoes off. It coats everything it touches and takes time to dry. Similarly, dampness in the body slows things down, creates stagnation, and takes time and care to clear out.

Dampness is most often related to the spleen and stomach. In the Five Element Theory, these organs belong to the Earth element. They sit at the center of the system, influencing all other elements and, in turn, being easily influenced by them.

In TCM, diagnosis relies on recognizing patterns. We assess the body by observing the tongue and feeling the pulse to understand where disharmony lies. We look for which organs or meridians are most affected and how they’re functioning.

When dampness is present, the pulse often feels slow and heavy. The tongue may appear greasy or coated in white, and there may be an excess of saliva, either inside the mouth or collecting at its corners. Some patients are constantly clearing their throats or have ongoing nasal congestion. These are all signs that dampness may be present and disrupting the body’s balance.

Acupuncture for Weather-Related Pain: How TCM Treats Dampness

How can TCM help with getting rid of dampness? 

Acupuncture helps move the stagnant nature of dampness to restore harmony and get the body back to its natural rhythm. It can also help clear or dry dampness using moxa or herbs. Moxa works by warming and drying out the dampness. Herbs are also effective, though they may take more time to show results.

Changes in diet are important to avoid ongoing symptoms. Eating foods that support digestion and elimination can help. Being more mindful of eating habits, like chewing thoroughly, supports better digestion, since it starts in the mouth. Avoid gluten and dairy because of their cloying nature, which can worsen dampness.

Physical activity is also essential. Movement helps the body release toxins, supports digestion, and improves circulation and drainage.

Now you can see how rainy weather can affect the body, and how simple lifestyle and dietary changes can help ease discomfort during damp, rainy seasons.

9 Simple Ways to Relieve Weather-Related Joint Pain at Home

Here are some lifestyle adaptations for relieving joint pain during bad weather:

• Use damprid bags in your closets (helps reduce humidity in the home)
• Consider light therapy to counteract reduced sunlight
• Practice mindfulness techniques (deep breathing, meditation, sit and listen to the rain)
• Take rainy days as a way to rest or snuggle with those closest to you
• Take this time to call or visit friends or loved ones
• Start a hobby
• Have a rainy day kit handy
• Movement! Anything helps, even if it’s just a 10-minute walk (30 minutes should be the goal for your minimum amount of exercise daily)
• Stretching – at bedtime and upon waking, for a minimum of five minutes

Anti-Inflammatory Diet Tips for Managing Weather-Related Pain

Dietary recommendations during flare-ups:

• Eliminate dairy
• Eliminate gluten
• Reduce heavy foods like nightshades
• Increase warm, cooked foods
• Increase fermented foods
• Increase anti-inflammatory foods
• Add celery, scallions, turnip, asparagus, or rye to your diet
• Add a touch of Himalayan salt to your water to help your body properly absorb

Traditional Chinese Medicine approaches like acupuncture and herbal therapy can significantly reduce the severity and frequency of pain. Increasing the frequency of appointments during the rainy season can also be especially helpful.

If you’re not able to come in as often as you’d like, a virtual consultation for herbal support is a great option. For conditions like arthritis, asthma, or fibromyalgia (just to name a few), an integrative approach is highly recommended.

Together, we can create a plan tailored for flare-ups or to support you during any season!

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a system of ancient medical practices developed in China over 5,000 years ago. This healthcare approach treats the whole person, not just the disease, based on the understanding that the body is a network of interconnected systems that can be restored to homeostasis (balance) through various treatments.

While acupuncture may be the most recognized TCM practice in the West, it’s just one of five common modalities:

1. Herbs – Customized natural formulas
2. Acupuncture – Insertion of thin needles at specific points
3. Cupping – Creating suction on the skin surface
4. Moxibustion – Burning herbs near or on the body
5. Tui Na – Eastern massage techniques (“rolling and pulling”)

The Ancient Art of Cupping

Cupping therapy involves attaching small jars to the skin surface to create suction for various therapeutic purposes. What’s fascinating is that cupping actually predates TCM itself, with evidence showing it was practiced by ancient Egyptians, Macedonians, and Greeks approximately 5,500 years ago.

This therapy appears across cultures worldwide – from Middle Eastern and Asian to Latin American and Eastern European traditions. The tools vary by region and availability: glass, bamboo, earthenware, silicone cups, and even household items like mugs or shot glasses in some communities.

Types of Cupping Techniques

Cupping therapy comes in several forms, each with specific applications:

1. Wet Cupping – Also known as “bloodletting,” this involves making a small incision before applying the cup to draw out a few drops of “bad blood.” This technique is less common in the U.S. but popular in Eastern Europe. The “bad blood” drawn out is typically extremely dark red, almost black, and can visibly change color during the process.
   
2. Fire Cupping – The most common method in the U.S., where fire is applied to a cotton ball soaked in alcohol, placed briefly inside the cup, then the cup is positioned on the skin. The heat creates a vacuum seal against the skin.
   
3. Mechanical Dry Cupping – Uses a rubber pump to manually create the vacuum instead of fire.
   
4. Moving Cupping – Involves applying oil to the skin first, then dragging the suction cup back and forth in short or long strokes, similar to a deep tissue massage.
   
5. Flash Cupping – A diagnostic tool where cups are placed briefly and immediately moved to another location, allowing the practitioner to assess areas of stagnation by observing skin color changes.
   

The suction intensity can range from low to high. Generally, the stronger the suction and/or the more stagnation present, the darker/deeper the marking color will be.

Health Benefits of Proper Cupping

When performed correctly by qualified practitioners, cupping offers numerous potential benefits:

• Pain relief, especially for muscle pain and spasms
• Increased range of motion in stiff joints and muscles
• Reduced inflammation in affected areas
• Improved circulation to tissues
• Enhanced immunity and faster recovery from colds/flu
• Stress and anxiety reduction through relaxation
• Detoxification by drawing impurities toward the surface

According to TCM principles, cupping resolves “stagnation” – when blood and energy (qi) aren’t flowing properly. Western medicine describes the process as drawing fluids to an area, causing controlled microtrauma that stimulates healing, releases tension in muscles, and affects the myofascial system.

Cupping is particularly effective for:

• Athletes preparing for competition or recovering from overtraining
• Acute conditions rather than chronic ones (though it can help during flare-ups)
• Sudden onset of colds, flu, or respiratory congestion
• Muscle tension and spasms
• Certain skin conditions (when appropriate)

The Celebrity Effect and Its Dangers

Cupping has gained mainstream popularity in recent years, largely due to celebrity exposure. Gwyneth Paltrow was among the first to be seen publicly with cupping marks, but the trend exploded in 2016 when Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps appeared with distinctive circular marks. Other celebrities known to use cupping include Justin Bieber, Lena Dunham, Jennifer Aniston, Kim Kardashian, and Victoria Beckham.

While this visibility has increased awareness of TCM practices, it has also led to potential dangers:

1. Decontextualization – TCM is deeply connected to seasons and individual constitutions. Cupping isn’t appropriate year-round or for everyone. For example, cupping in very cold weather can make you more vulnerable to illness by drawing heat from deep within the body to the surface making you vulnerable to easily catching a cold.
   
2. DIY Risks – The availability of home cupping kits online poses serious risks for those without proper training:
   
   • Improper placement due to lack of anatomical knowledge
   • Tissue damage or burns from excessive suction or duration
   • Infection risk from inadequate sterilization
   • No understanding of contraindications or seasonal considerations
3. Unqualified Practitioners – Weekend certification courses cannot replace years of TCM training. According to industry data, approximately 90% of cupping-related injuries occur under practitioners without comprehensive TCM education. By comparison, licensed acupuncturists have an extremely low rate of treatment complications.
   

Important Safety Warnings

Cupping is contraindicated (not recommended) for several conditions:

• Skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, sunburn, or open wounds
• Cardiovascular issues including high blood pressure and varicose veins
• Blood disorders and patients on anticoagulant medications
• Cancer patients (should wait 48 hours before/after chemotherapy/radiation)
• Certain areas of the body (avoid bony prominences and sensitive regions)

Special warning: Receiving cupping after coloring your hair can result in extremely dark, prominent marks every time. The chemicals from hair dye appear to intensify the marking reaction, most likely from the amount of toxins.

Post-Treatment Care

After cupping, proper care is essential:

• Avoid sun exposure on marked areas
• Skip lotions or ointments on treated skin
• Stay warm and protected from cold drafts
• Drink plenty of water to support the detoxification process
• Allow 3-5 days for marks to fade naturally

Real-Life Experience: Personal Stories

When I was in acupuncture school, I experienced wet cupping firsthand for several conditions:

• Migraines
• Styes (eye infections)
• Staph infection
• Neck pain

Each time, the relief was almost immediate. I vividly remember having a staph infection in my nose right before my bridal shower! Rather than seeing a conventional doctor, I worked with my TCM teachers using various techniques. Nothing compared to the intense relief after the initial bloodletting procedure – the pressure release was remarkable.

I’ve also witnessed dramatic results in my own practice. One particular patient would throw her back out several times annually, sometimes becoming wheelchair-bound or bedridden. Each time, I’d visit her home, apply dry cupping followed by acupuncture on her back, then treat her front side to help her relax. After each integrated treatment, she could immediately get up and walk without assistance!

Finding a Qualified Practitioner

Red flags to watch for when seeking cupping therapy:

• Practitioners offering only trending services
• Minimal or no formal TCM training
• Inadequate medical history assessment
• Failure to discuss contraindications
• No comprehensive intake procedures

Credentials to look for:

• Licensed by the state medical board
• L.Ac or MAOM designation (indicating a four-year master’s degree in TCM)
• Board certifications
• Continuing education in specialized techniques

Always seek an initial assessment that examines your complete health picture. Remember that in TCM, we look at the whole person, not just your current complaint. This comprehensive approach provides the foundation for effective, personalized treatment.

The Integrated Approach

In my practice, I often combine therapies based on individual needs. However, I believe in the principle that less is more – I diagnose first, then determine which therapy will be most beneficial.

The integrated approach works particularly well for:

• Acute situations requiring immediate relief
• Preparing the body for physical challenges (like long flights or travel)
• Complex conditions with multiple manifestations

Each treatment includes an ongoing evaluation of effectiveness, using pain scales and progress assessments to guide adjustments to your care plan.

Ready to Experience the Benefits of Professional Cupping?

Book a consultation today for:

• A free evaluation of your specific needs
• A customized treatment plan developed just for you
• Safe introduction to appropriate therapies under expert guidance

Your journey to balanced health begins with understanding which traditional approaches are right for your unique situation.