We gain wisdom with each passing year, but we may also begin to experience age-related body changes. Some are obvious to us, such as gray hair, creaky joints, or the need for reading glasses. Other alterations are not as visible as they occur inside the body – to organs, tissues, and even on a cellular level.
Along with these changes, one of the issues that we begin to struggle with is at least one form of back pain. It’s a condition shared by almost everyone. Statistics show that more than 80% of adults in the United States visit a doctor for back pain at least once in their lives.
Is back pain something that you must accept as something that is bound to happen eventually? Is there anything you can do to prevent it? Why does it happen? What are its likely causes?
Age-Related Changes
As people age, the discs between the vertebrae (the bones in the spinal column) can shrink and lose their cushioning, resulting in reduced flexibility and potential pain. This is known as degenerative disc disease. It’s not a disease but rather a condition that occurs when the spinal discs in your back deteriorate.
Spinal discs are rubbery cushions that act as shock absorbers, helping you move, bend, and twist comfortably. Everyone’s spinal discs degenerate over time. It’s a natural part of aging.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis, or wear-and-tear arthritis, is a common cause of back pain, especially in the lower back, as the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones wears away. It’s the most common form of arthritis, affecting millions of people.
Osteoarthritis symptoms can be managed, but the damage to joints can’t be reversed.
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of one or more spaces within your spinal canal. Your spine canal is a tunnel that runs through each of the vertebrae in your spine. It contains your spinal cord and spinal nerves. The spinal cord is made of the nerves and cells that carry messages from your brain to the rest of your body.
When the spinal canal is narrowed due to spinal stenosis, it can put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves, causing pain, numbness, or weakness.
Herniated Discs
Herniated discs occur when the soft, jelly-like center of a disc pushes through its outer layer. Depending on the spinal level where the herniation occurs, it can put pressure on your spinal cord or nerve roots. This can irritate or damage them. It also can lead to pain, numbness, and weakness in your neck, back, arms, or legs.
Bone Spurs
Bone spurs are bony growths that form on the edges of your spine. They are also called osteophytes.
Bone spurs are most commonly caused by joint damage linked to osteoarthritis. They often cause no symptoms, but sometimes, they may cause pain and stiffness.
Spondylolisthesis
Spondylolisthesis occurs when one of the vertebrae in your spine slips out of position, placing pressure on the vertebra below it. This can put pressure on the nerves around your spine and cause back pain and other symptoms.
Other Factors
Other factors that can contribute to back pain with age include poor posture, lack of exercise, obesity, and smoking.
Losing weight can help alleviate back pain because carrying extra weight strains the spine, and excess body fat can contribute to joint damage and inflammation. Strengthening the back and core muscles through exercise also supports the spine and can help alleviate pain.
Treating Age-Related Back Pain
Many of us live with occasional back pain and treat it with at-home care. However, if back pain is severe, persistent, or accompanied by other symptoms, it’s essential to seek medical advice.
Fortunately, the vast majority of back pain issues can be treated with non-surgical approaches. This may involve a combination, including minimally invasive musculoskeletal therapies, pain management, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes, such as exercise and weight management.
The state of the art in restoring quality of life for patients with back pain continues to advance significantly, year after year. Specialists, such as Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physicians, have many treatment alternatives at their disposal. For those with ongoing back pain problems, these doctors are often very effective in finding paths to restore quality of life.