The “Mystery Pain” Phase of Life

Ever thought you were now in the phase of life called “mystery pain” 😂?

This is when you suddenly have a new body ache or pain somewhere for no apparent reason!

If you have any type of joint pain, you know how frustrating and sometimes downright debilitating it can be! 

As an ex-modern dancer, I've had many joint aches and pains for quite a few years now (knees and hips mostly).

Although I can’t blame all my joint aches and pains on dance, I danced pretty seriously till I was in my 40s which was fun but probably not so great for my knees!

Covid definitely made my joint pains worse as I became less active - not doing as much yoga, dance, walking/jogging and movement in general. 

I definitely find that now that I’m moving my body more in a gentle way (no more running ) I have fewer joint aches and pains!

But I still wake up and feel stiff and achy sometimes.

When I do, it really helps me to move my body first thing in the mornings. 

So here’s a short morning yoga for joint pain routine that helps me and that I hope will help you feel better!

Ever wondered why we get more achy as we women move into our 40s, 50s and beyond?

As women head into midlife, joint aches and pain often become more frustrating and annoying due to several factors including:

Joint wear and tear: Over time, the cartilage that cushions the joints can gradually wear down, leading to osteoarthritis which can feel like joint pain, stiffness, and cause reduced mobility.

Reduced flexibility: As we get older, the tendons and ligaments around the joints can lose some of their elasticity, leading to decreased flexibility. This can make the joints less able to handle stress and more prone to pain and discomfort.

Increased inflammation: Chronic low-level inflammation in the body can contribute to joint pain. With age, the body's ability to regulate inflammation may decline, leading to more inflammation in the joints and so joint pain.

Changes in bone density: As we age, there is an increased risk of bone loss (osteoporosis). Weaker bones are more susceptible to fractures, and the resulting trauma can cause joint pain.

Menopause: Declining estrogen can cause joint pain (see where I talk about this on YouTube).

Degenerative conditions: Various degenerative joint conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout, tend to be more prevalent with age. These conditions involve inflammation, joint damage, and pain, often leading to worsening symptoms as you get older.

While joint pain can be more common with age, it is not inevitable!

Let’s keep moving, keep as strong and reasonably flexible as we can and we can help to prevent and relieve many common aches and pains!

And of course, yoga is one of the best ways to do this!

IN CASE YOU DON’T KNOW ME…

I’m Karin, a certified yoga instructor based in Kingston, Jamaica.

I help women over 40 go from feeling stressed and achy to feeling great!

I have a free newsletter that is short, actionable, inspiring, and loved by over 670 subscribers!

Every week, I'll send you one yoga pose for you to do so you can experience all the amazing benefits of yoga in 2 minutes or less.