Feeling under the weather?
THE link between weather and aches and pains may not be such an old wives’ tale after all.
Retired college lecturer Nora Boswell, 68, has arthritis and is one of 13,000 people taking part in a research project called Cloudy With A Chance Of Pain.
Run by Manchester University and Arthritis Research UK, it is studying the connection between flare-ups and weather.
Here Nora, from Thornton, West Yorks, tells how technology is helping her manage her arthritis.
“My mother had bad arthritis in her knees and ten years ago mine started playing up. When I’d go down stairs, I’d get a sharp pain in my kneecaps. Then it became more debilitating.
“I often walk into the village but I started struggling downhill. It wasn’t a real surprise when an X-ray revealed arthritis.
“Doctors say I may have deterioration i n my shoulders and spine.
“I don’t l i ke t aking painkillers. They’re a short- term fix. But regular exercise has helped me so much.
“I use a Fitbit activity tracker to walk 250 steps an hour and as many squats as possible. I’ve got to keep my muscles going.
“Arthritis Research UK has excellent exercise routines to help manage pain.
“On their website I found an article asking for volunteers for a citizen science four-year study called Cloudy With A Chance of Pain. The results will be out next spring. “Early data revealed people reported less time in severe pain across three UK cities from February to April but pain increased again in June. “It’s long been a bit of an old wives’ tale that the weather can makes aches and pains worse. “My c chiropractor said many moremo clients come in after certainc weather condition conditions in pain but there was no proof. “I thought it was gre great someone was rese researching it so signed up and downloaded the app. “I’ve been logging my pain scale every day on my smartphone wh while my phone is au automatically collecting hourly local weather data. I t asks quest questions, such as how sti stiff you feel, and you can move a dial to the ap appropriate level. I’ve no noticed pain is worse if it’s damp. We had a long, damp autumn and I got fed up as I couldn’t go out for walks.
“Hot weather also has a negative affect on it. My husband John and I went on holiday to France and it was very hot.
“After two days, I ached. And when we had a hot spell back in the UK my arthritis flared up. So summer beach holidays are out and we go in autumn.
Pace
“I can’t wait to see the results of the study. Until then I’ll continue to exercise. I go for a walk most days or use the cross trainer at home. I also go to a pilates class once a week.
“If you have arthritis, it’s also important to pace yourself. Yes, everything takes longer but you’ll be in less discomfort.
“Some people might be OK waiting for someone to give them a pill – but you’ve got to help yourself too.”
Join a citizen science project at britishscienceassociation. org/citizen-science. More on the arthritis study at cloudywithachanceofpain.com.