I had knee replacement almost three years ago and a shoulder rebuild four years ago. I have mild arthritis in my hands that flairs up from too much tool time or time driving the ATV or Jeep. Live at 8,200' and regularly travel and hike to 12-13,000'. Big changes in barometric pressure associated with cold and damp will make me a bit achy.
I found a cream that is compounded like the old time creams long before the FDA. It has camphor, menthol, arnica, peppermint, etc. The additional ingredient is THC. It gives me several hours of relief especially after hiking 6-7 miles in the mountains. Legal here in Colorado, wish I could share it with friends in other states.
Austin, TX is not the desert. During the winter you will have prolonged spells of damp, cold weather.