Estimates of how many seniors suffer from lower back pain are all over the map. Some experts say it’s as high as 80%, others use a much lower number. Whatever the statistics, the truth is seniors do have back pain, and probably at a higher rate than the younger population.

AARP has an excellent article called Your Aching Back. It gives an overview of the problem and sums up treatment options nicely. Following the article are helpful links about getting more fit, probably the best prevention for back pain you’ll find.

Robin McKenzie, developer of the McKinzie method of self-treatment for back pain has written a book called 7 Steps to a Pain-Free Life, available at bookstores both online and off. He prescribes a series of simple exercises designed both to relieve back pain and help with prevention.

Of course, if you have back pain, you’ll want to check with your medical professional before you do anything, but you are not helpless. There are steps you can take to relieve and prevent lower back pain.

Labels: bachache, back pain, seniors

Lower back pain affects some 6 million people annually according to an article called Back Pain Overview by Anne Asher, About.com’s guide to Back and Neck Pain. Although statistics about how many of these cases are seniors are difficult to find, there is general consensus that as we age we are more vulnerable to low back pain.

The same article outlines the types of back and neck pain (they truly are related in many cases), giving perhaps more information than you want, but if you’ve got back pain you probably want to at least scan the article.

The final page is also a stand-alone article called Treatment and Prevention of Back Pain. It’s an excellent overview of what you can do to both prevent the problem and to treat it when it occurs.

Of course, you’ll also want to consult your medical professional, but having some information ahead of time can ease your pain and help you help your doctor treat you.

Labels: back pain, senior health, seniors