Many older people suffer from low back pain. At a time in your life when you could and should enjoy yourself, back conditions can be a source of ongoing pain and cause severe limitations on your ability to enjoy. This article will discuss the most common cause of back discomfort among older people, a recent research study revealing data on older people’s back conditions, and a safe, inexpensive, drug-free, and non-surgical conservative care approach to help this common disease.
Older adults have generally spent their first decades participating in activities that cause cumulative physical stress to the lower back. Very few have had occupations that require physical labor that affects the back. Employees in construction work, trades, nursing, law enforcement and emergency services, and military personnel are susceptible to back injuries and repetitive stress injury to the back. People employed in sedentary jobs such as administrative assistants, accountants, lawyers, engineers, chemists, and dental professionals are not immune to back problems. Likewise, housewives, whether men or women, who are raising children and maintaining a home are susceptible to this condition.
A scientific research study published in Clinics (Brazil), October 2019 reviewed data from 35 published studies involving more than 135,000 older adults. The research pointed out that it is very common for older people to experience low back pain that affects their ability to perform daily tasks. According to the researchers, approximately one in five adults in their 60s currently has back pain, and the risk increases with age, affecting up to 75% of those over the age of 100.
The most common cause of back pain in older people is misalignment and / or improper movement of the bones in the lower spine called vertebrae. If the vertebrae are not in proper alignment and move incorrectly, they can pinch the spinal nerves and cause irritation of the spinal joints. This is by far the most common source of low back pain.
Fortunately, there is a very simple solution to fix this problem. Chiropractic care is the gold standard when it comes to helping most people with back problems. Chiropractors are trained to evaluate lumbar spine problems. Through a spinal evaluation that involves the chiropractor palpating the back muscles for spasms, stiffness, misalignment, and improper movement of the bones and joints in the spine, the chiropractor can determine if a patient is a candidate for receiving chiropractic care. In the event that the patient can be helped by chiropractic care, treatment can be started. The most common treatment method provided by a chiropractor to older people suffering from low back pain is a chiropractic adjustment. The adjustment is a very safe, gentle and conservative treatment to realign and restore proper movement in the area of the spine that requires care. If a patient is not a candidate for chiropractic care, the chiropractic physician is qualified to refer that person to the best healthcare provider for their specific condition.
For more than 125 years, chiropractors have helped older people relieve low back pain. The older adult suffering from a mechanical back pain condition should consult a chiropractic physician.
