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19 - The Problem of Pain in Older Adults

And What You Can Do about It

from Part II - Caring For Your Body

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 June 2023

Marcy Cottrell Houle  and
Elizabeth Eckstrom
By
Elizabeth Eckstrom
Elizabeth Eckstrom
Affiliation:
Oregon Health and Science University
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Summary

Half of people over 65 have pain that limits their daily function. Pain can lead to problems with sleep, mobility, falls, depression, appetite, social isolation and memory. Many reasons older adults have pain: arthritis, nerve pain, headaches, poor teeth, injuries and fractures, back problems. Is pain a normal part of aging, and just something we have to get used to as we age? Is it better just to tolerate pain, or is it better to take pain medication? Will pain just continue to get worse as we age. The answer is no, no, no, no. If you start young to prevent aging-related illnesses, you will have a much better chance of remaining pain free as you age. It is probably not possible to be pain free all day every day but with good pain relief strategies, practiced daily, , it is possible to do everything you want to do. It may not be possible to relieve all your pain 100%, but the goal should be to retain 100% of your function. Pain reduction strategies are explained

Keywords

StiffnessJoint achesHomeostenosisArthritisNeuropathyMediterranean DietWell-balanced exercise programBody mass indexChronic low back painYogaTai ChiPilatesCore StrengtheningChapter outlines examples of medical problems that cause pain and strategies to prevent themPain upon awakeningMassage, meditation, heat, acupunctureTopical medications
Type
Chapter
Information
The Gift of Aging
Growing Older with Purpose, Planning and Positivity
 , pp. 123 - 129
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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