Back Problems as a Senior? Here's 4 Ways to Find out What is Going On

People who are 65 or older have increased risks of back strains, pain and fractures. Many seniors experience back problems often and don’t notice any problem until a serious accident occurs. Here are four ways to find out why you’re having back problems and find effective solutions to fix them.

Change Your Schedule

Retired seniors have fewer work duties to do, but they still pursue activities that cause back strain and pain. This occurs when they do laborious work that requires lifting weights repetitively. Gardening, carpentry and home remodeling require a lot of bending and twisting movements in the back. In addition, many people are obsessed with hobbies that they work on for hours on end. As a result, change your schedule to reduce the number of hours that you work on manual labor.

Visit a Primary Care Physician

Most seniors already visit a primary care physician (PCP) for annual health checkups. Visit this doctor to determine the cause of your back pain. The physician will question you about the events or activities that led up to your injury. The PCP may prescribe medication or administer X-rays at the office. If the pain is very severe, you’ll be referred to a specialist.

Contact a Back or Spine Injury Specialist

A PCP may refer you to a back pain or spine injury specialist who specializes in musculoskeletal problems. This provider will diagnose your problem and come up with a customized treatment plan. You’ll receive top-notch care at a spine injury rehabilitation center that has inpatient and outpatient care, occupational therapy, support groups, assistive technologies and more. You’ll have access to a team of qualified specialists who provide a wide range of advanced treatments.

Evaluate Existing Health Conditions

Evaluate any health problems that you have now to see if one or more are causing your back problems. Muscle strain is not the only reason why backs hurt. The problem could be one or more herniated discs that place strain on the spine. Arthritis in the spine causes pain and stiffness in the lower back and neck areas. Osteoporosis is a bone condition that may cause spinal fractures. If you have any existing musculoskeletal condition, have a doctor check for a direct or indirect link to your back problem. Older people struggle with doing activities that involve bending over, kneeling and lifting heavy objects. They are more likely to suffer from back and spinal injuries that have permanent effects. They may not notice that anything is wrong until they slip and fall and fracture their spine. The first and most important step is to contact the doctor, and if any further treatment is needed, receive a referral to a back injury specialist.