Two of the most common causes of lower back pain in older adults include osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis. This blog looks at some ways to prevent back pain as we get older and some tips on how to manage any back pain for the elderly.
When you age, the cartilage fades away. At the same time, the discs lose water and become narrow, adding more pressure to the joints. This pressure causes inflammation and can lead to back pain.
Back pain, in particular, has a variety of possible causes, though the most common causes of chronic back pain in seniors are osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis. People over the age of 60 are more likely to experience back pain related to the degeneration of the joints in the spine.
As your spine ages, you may start feeling some aches and pains. Degenerative changes in discs and joints, spinal and spondylolisthesis are the three most common reasons.
Arthritis of the spine — the slow degeneration of the spinal joints — is the most frequent cause of lower back pain. All of us experience wear and tear as we age, and it is normal for your lower back to start acting up as you get older.
Applying ice with 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off can help reduce any inflammation or muscle spasms. If you don't have an ice pack, a bag of frozen peas will also do the trick! Apply heat – If the pain continues, consider using a heating pad and taking warm baths.
“Red flags” include pain that lasts more than 6 weeks; pain in persons younger than 18 years or older than 50 years; pain that radiates below the knee; a history of major trauma; constitutional symptoms; atypical pain (eg, that which occurs at night or that is unrelenting); the presence of a severe or rapidly ...
Sharp pain rather than a dull ache: This could indicate a torn muscle or ligament, or a problem with an internal organ in the back or side. 2. Radiating pain: This pain "moves" or shoots to the glutes or legs, which could indicate a nerve compression condition. Radiating pain could be a sign of nerve damage.
Sit with a back support (such as a rolled-up towel) at the curve of your back. Keep your hips and knees at a right angle. (Use a foot rest or stool if necessary.) Your legs should not be crossed and your feet should be flat on the floor.
Going on walks: Initial research suggests that going on a walk or brisk walking (Nordic walking) can help relieve back pain if done regularly – for instance, every two days for 30 to 60 minutes.
Back pain can worsen when transitioning from a sitting position to a standing position. This is mainly caused by the rounding of the spine while attempting to stand up, which causes the low back to lift the weight of your body as you manoeuvre.
One of the most common conditions leading to chronic pain and disability in the elderly is osteoarthritis. This is likely related to the obesity burden, combined with the senescence of connective tissues during aging, which might result in painful alterations at activity or rest (Satake et al., 2021).
Low back pain (LBP) is one of the major disabling health conditions among older adults aged 60 years or older.
According to Dr. Tingan, most people start noticing back pain between the ages of 40 and 60. People that are obese and over 30 are at increased risk of suffering from back pain in the lower extremities.
Some symptoms (often called "red flag" symptoms) may suggest that the back pain has a more serious cause. These include fever, recent trauma, weight loss, a history of cancer and neurological symptoms, such as numbness, weakness or incontinence (involuntary loss of urine or stool).
Back pain can often times be mistaken for hip pain since the hip joint is so close to the spine. Generally, hip and back pain can range from a dull ache to sharp pain. This can affect your mobility and everyday activities.
If your symptoms don't go away after a week or two, you should see a doctor. Extreme pain. The severity of back pain can vary greatly, but if you experience sharp, shock-like pain that radiates from your lower back or neck, don't hesitate to talk to a doctor. Sudden back pain.
Nighttime back pain may be caused by a variety of factors, including poor posture, inadequate support from the mattress or pillow, underlying medical conditions, or previous injuries. It is important to address back pain at night as it can lead to sleep disturbances, fatigue, and reduced quality of life.
Is it normal to ache as you get older? Yes, often aching joints and muscles are simply the effects of age. As you get older, the natural tendency is for muscles to get smaller and lose some of their strength. Bones also start to get weaker over time.
Acute (short-term) back pain lasts a few days to a few weeks. It usually resolves on its own within a few days with self-care and there is no long-term loss of function. Chronic back pain is pain that continues for 12 weeks or longer, even after an initial injury or underlying cause of back pain has been treated.
It can be due to reduced blood flow, tight muscles and ligaments, fluid pooled in the body's lower extremities, or pins and needles sensations in the feet.