Back Pain In The Elderly And How To Manage It

We have often heard our senior loved ones complaining about back pains. This is due to the aging process of the whole body, including the spine which gives rise to back pains and aches.

Let us have a close look at the common causes of why our senior loved ones suffer from back pain after attaining a certain age:-

Degenerative changes in discs and joints: It occurs when the spine's discs dry out due to aging. The loss of moisture makes the discs less effective while absorbing shocks.

•  Spondylolisthesis: According to Wikipedia, Spondylolisthesis is the displacement of one spinal vertebra compared to another, which is slipping forward of one vertebra over the other.

•  Spinal stenosis: It occurs due to the narrowing of the canal through which spinal cords pass due to thickened ligaments, disc degeneration, etc,

So, how can senior loved ones manage their back pains and lead a healthy and comfortable life:-

•  Physical Activity:
The more active your senior loved ones are, the better they will feel. If your senior loved ones don’t have any serious health issues, encourage them for going out on a refreshing walk for 30 minutes at least 4 days a week. This will help them manage their back pain to a large extent. If you are availing of caregiving service from an Elder Care Service provider in Kolkata, ensure the caregiver accompanies your senior loved ones to the walks to avoid any unfortunate incidents. Light exercises can also help. Consult a doctor before starting any exercise plan for your senior loved ones.

•  Physiotherapy:
Physiotherapy can help reduce back pain. Physiotherapists can develop an exercise program for your senior loved ones that will help strengthen their back and abdominal muscles, improving balance and flexibility. Senior Care Service providers provide physiotherapy services in the comfort of your home that you can avail for your senior loved ones.

•  Applying Heat:
Taking warm baths, and using a heating pad (after a 2-3 days gap in between) can relax their back muscles stimulating blood flow. But your senior loved ones should be careful while applying heating pads. Make sure they don’t fall asleep while applying a heating pad, or else they may get burnt. They should stretch their warmed muscles for some time after removing the heating pad to avoid muscle spasms.

•  Acupuncture:
It’s the process by which specialists insert fine needles into the skin at specific points of the body to relieve pain by stimulating the healing process of the body.

These are some of the ways by which your senior loved ones can manage their back pain and lead a healthy and comfortable life.