If you are one of the millions of people each year who begin to suffer from back or neck pain, you undoubtedly want to know if there is anything you can do to make it go away. Chances are, if you are of a certain age, you won’t like the answer. That’s because once you reach middle age, there is an expected level of discomfort associated with the deterioration of the spinal anatomy. In short – as you get older, things start to hurt every now and then. But that doesn’t mean you are entirely powerless.

Back Pain Causes

Why do we develop back pain as we get older? If you’re lucky, you don’t. Some people are simply genetically predisposed to good health throughout their lives, and to them, we say congratulations and enjoy it. Most people, though, begin to experience the effects of age by the time they reach their late 30s and early 40s, and it become progressively worse as they get older. The intervertebral discs, ligaments, spinal joints, and other anatomical components are exposed to a great deal of wear and tear related to back and neck movement and the weight-bearing responsibility of the spine. The ravages of age can produce symptoms that range from a mild, occasional ache to constant, chronic, debilitating pain, tingling, numbness, and muscle weakness.

Dealing With It

The first instinct when someone notices occasional, mild back pain might be to ignore it. After all, we all recognize that it’s part of life to slow down a little as we get older. The body tells us what we can and can’t do, and that is particularly true when it comes to the spine. Osteoarthritis (cartilage deterioration), degenerative disc disease and ligament ossification just happen. That said, ignoring it isn’t going to make it better. See a physician, first and foremost. Ask her to diagnose the source of the pain, then work together to formulate a treatment plan.

Treating Age-Related Back Pain

Regardless of the source of pain and other back or neck discomfort, it is extremely likely that you will be able to manage the symptoms using a combination of conservative, nonsurgical treatment methods. These will vary from person to person, but will often include non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), exercise, stretching, hot/cold therapy, corticosteroid injections, and more. Some people find relief using alternative and complementary medicine, such as chiropractic adjustments and acupuncture. Still others focus on diet and nutrition as a means to achieve better overall health.

Trial and Error

Because no two people suffering from back pain respond to treatment methods in exactly the same way, a period of trial and error might be required to settle on the correct combination of methods. The important thing is to stay in contact with the physician and/or physical therapist so that adjustments can be made to the treatment plan if something isn’t working. If you notice that your symptoms are getting worse, don’t waste time – call your physician immediately and ask for suggestions. Similarly, if your symptoms continue to improve using the current regimen, the physician needs to know that in order to confirm that you are on the right track.

When is Surgery an Option?

If chronic, debilitating back pain continues to interfere with your quality of life after several weeks or months of conservative treatment, it might be time to explore your options for surgery. This is almost always the last resort for anyone with age-related back problems, because the potential side effects and complications can be extraordinarily disruptive in the long-term. Talk to your physician about the differences between open back surgery and advanced, endoscopically focused, minimally invasive procedures.

Peg Smith is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Soland/Ms. Smith is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to back pain.

Peg Smith is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Ms. Smith is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to back pain. http://www.laserspinewellness.com/

Author Bio: Peg Smith is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Soland/Ms. Smith is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to back pain.

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: Back pain, general wellness