Are we more likely to have back pain the older we are? Are back pain and disability with age just a part of life? Maybe you’ve asked yourself these questions in the past but never really been able to find an answer. The science behind back pain and age is complex so it is important to be aware of the facts and what the current knowledge is. That is where a chiropractor may be able to help and that is why I decided to write this blog on ageing and back pain. We at Chiropractic Associates believe that knowledge is power so please read on!
There is one thing that we know for sure: getting older can bring its challenges. We may experience more aches and pains in different areas of our body. Other health problems can arise and become more common as the years go by. The World Health Organisation states that certain conditions are widespread amongst the elderly such as: hearing loss, sight impairment, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, depression and dementia. The WHO also states that neck and back pain are also common amongst the elderly as well as osteoarthritis - also known as degenerative joint disease (WHO 2018).
Does this mean that getting older means more back pain? In the same article, the WHO explains that there are many factors that contribute to how someone ages. Genetics and our environment can play a part as well as our health habits. Maintaining healthy behaviours like a balanced diet, engaging in regular physical activity and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol intake all help to reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases. Non-communicable diseases include what are now known as ‘lifestyle diseases’ such as obesity, type two diabetes and heart disease. Healthy behaviours also maintain good physical and mental capacity later in life (WHO 2018).
A picture begins to emerge: maybe we are in control of how our body ages and how our health is determined later in life. We have a say and a part to play in defending ourselves against many lifestyle diseases. But does this include back and joint pain?
Click here to read part 2 and find out more! Wishing you good health and happiness,
Jon
References
World Health Organisation 2018, Ageing and Health, WHO, accessed 6 May 2020, https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ageing-and-health
