Dear Tom,
Why do I feel pain-striking headaches in my temples (or joints) when the weather changes?
— Diana Kuhiwczak
Dear Diana,
Your complaint is a frequent one, and the answer is, probably, changes in air pressure — the weight of the atmosphere on everything, including you. I say “probably” because statistics show that changes in air pressure cause some people to suffer from headaches and joint pain, but it is still somewhat a matter of contention. Imagine that the tissues surrounding closed portions of the body, such as joints, are like a balloon. High air pressure, typically when the weather is good, pushes against the body and keeps the material within the balloon — the joints and other materials — from expanding. When air pressure falls, especially before bad weather sets in, the lower air pressure allows the material to expand, causing pain.
