You're not alone. Dr. Christopher Murawski, an orthopedic surgeon with Duke Health, said the concept of weather-related pain has been studied and patients share that the experience is universal.
"Whether it's warm weather, whether it's cold weather, whether it's changes in humidity, changes in pressure and things like that, they do experience joint pains, and muscle pains," he said.
Experts attribute much of the pain to changes in barometric pressure.
Air is heavy, exerting about 15 pounds of pressure per square inch on your body, even though we don't feel its weight but do sense its pressure. A drop in barometric pressure ahead of a storm system also causes less resistance.
"I'd say, while the science isn't perfect, physiologically, it makes some sense," Dr. Murawski said. "We get some changes in pressure. The muscles can expand. Ligaments can expand -- things like that."
This muscle expansion and fluid shifts can lead to swelling and pain.
"And more importantly, it jives with the experiences that patients share with us even anecdotally and the symptoms they experience," Dr. Murawski said.
He also said it's more typical for people to experience cramping in the cold versus warmer weather.
There are three simple things you can do to help relieve some of the aches and pains: stay warm, stay active/mobile, and stay hydrated -- even if it is cold outside.
"Put on some layers, brave the North Carolina cold, and yes definitely stay active," Dr. Murawski said.
As the old saying goes, "motion is lotion."