It’s an inevitable part of the human experience – the older we get, the more likely we will begin to feel the aches and pains of aging.
Often, the culprit is short-term acute pain that is suddenly triggered because your body isn’t as nimble as it used to be. Your muscle fibers have become weaker due to a loss of density, your equilibrium is not as steady, your joints are stiffer, and the cartilage in those joints has worn down.
Older adults can also begin to experience chronic pain following an illness, an injury, or the onset of a health issue. Certain parts of your body – such as your hands, wrists, hips, knees, neck, and lower back – get overused throughout your life, which is why conditions such as osteoarthritis and other forms of joint pain are so common among those of us who are age 60 or older.
Other age-related sources of pain include degenerative disc disease (affecting the discs in the spine), frozen shoulder, bone spurs, and rheumatoid arthritis. Headaches and migraines are also a common source of pain among mature adults, although those can start much earlier in life.
How Can I Prevent Age-Related Pains?
Just because it’s a normal part of the aging process doesn’t mean you have to tolerate acute or chronic pain. There are many natural ways you can help reduce and/or prevent pain at any age. Some simple measures include:
- Exercising every day – even if it’s just walking or stretching.
- Eating well, particularly eliminating processed and sugary foods from your diet.
- Adding grapes and berries that are rich in resveratrol and antioxidants to your diet.
Eating anti-inflammatory foods, such as fish. You can also take a fish oil supplement and/or add turmeric to your meals. (Note that fish oil supplements can negatively affect your eyesight, so discuss it with your family medicine provider first.)
- Losing a few pounds if you have to, and maintain your normal body weight.
- Using hot and cold therapy, as well as topical medications.
- Taking Epsom salt baths to soothe your muscles and aching limbs.
- Trying some holistic pain-relieving methods such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, acupuncture, and acupressure.
Of course, some age-related pain is too complex or severe to respond to do-it-yourself therapy and home remedies. When that is the case, you may require prescribed medication and/or professional medical treatment.
Family Medicine in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach
At Advanced Medical Clinic in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, we pride ourselves on providing personalized, quality health care for your entire family. That includes diagnosing and treating painful, age-related conditions such as headaches, migraines, arthritis, and other joint conditions, as well as many more chronic and acute illnesses.
Board-certified internist Dr. Ishan Gunawardene offers advanced and customized treatment options for adults of all ages, including geriatric medicine. To learn more about us and the primary services we offer, or to arrange a visit to our friendly clinic, call us today at (561) 434-1935, or request an appointment using our online form. We are always happy to serve you.
