Is pain a normal part of aging, and one should not worry about persistent pain? No, it is actually a common misconception. Many people assume that they will experience more pain as they age. However, it is not normal to experience chronic pain in any part of your body, regardless of your age.

According to a recent report published by Chronic Pain Australia (CPA), almost 3.6 million Australians are currently suffering from chronic pain, which has been causing drastic consequences in their lives.

Read on to learn more about aging and chronic pain.

What is Chronic pain?

Pain is an irritating sensation that tells us something is wrong with our body. It is like an alarm system for our body. It alerts us to any harmful changes and also helps us avoid harmful situations. Pain is subjective, as not everyone feels it the same, and it varies from person to person, even if the cause is the same.

Pain that lasts for more than three months is called chronic pain or persistent pain. It may occur due to conditions like arthritis, cancer, fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, injuries, or sometimes it can be triggered without any cause. It can range from mild to severe and can take quite a toll on you physically, socially, and mentally. That is why it is crucial to seek help for persistent discomfort.

Aging and chronic pain

According to the World Health Organization, healthy aging is defined as developing and maintaining the functional ability that enables well-being in older age.

Does chronic pain get worse with age? Not necessarily. As we age, our muscles become stiff, bones lose density, and muscle mass decreases, resulting in discomfort or pain. The risk of degenerative diseases also increases with age, and chronic pain is a consequence of degenerative conditions. Unfortunately, many older people do not report chronic pain as they believe that it is a sign of aging. However, persistent pain is not an inevitable part of aging. In fact, It has also been observed that not all older people suffer from pain, and many older people are living pain-free lives.

Causes of chronic pain in elderly

There are many common causes of chronic pain. Among all of them, arthritis is one of the major causes in the elderly, and the other causes include,

• Diabetes.
• Osteoporosis.
• Cancer.
• Underlying medical conditions.
• Lifestyle choices.
• Genetics.

Acute pain can also turn into chronic pain if left untreated for a longer period. Studies have also shown that stress is also one of the factors of chronic pain.

Chronic pain and quality of life

Chronic pain can adversely impact physical, social, emotional, and mental health. It can lead to reduced mobility and decreased independence. Consequently, it has a negative impact on mental health and mood.

It can also contribute to issues such as;

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Sleep disturbances
• Fatigue

Chronic pain in older people can also impact gait, risk of falls, and recovery rate.

In Australia, it has also been observed that individuals experiencing chronic pain are two to three times more likely to exhibit suicidal behavior.

Chronic pain management – a multidisciplinary approach

Chronic pain is a complex issue. According to Australian healthcare guidelines, the approach to chronic pain management is multidisciplinary. A multidisciplinary approach includes a medical team of physicians, psychologists or psychiatrists, physiotherapists, and pain specialists who collaborate to treat physical, psychosocial, medical, and social aspects of chronic pain.

The primary goal of this approach is to improve the patient’s quality of life of patients through comprehensive assessment and tailored interventions. The key elements of this approach include;

Drug therapies (pharmacologic treatments):

In the pharmacological approach, your doctor may recommend

• Medications like NSAIDs (for short-term use), opioids (for chronic pain caused by cancer), pain relievers, antidepressants, and antiepileptic medicines.

Opioids are usually avoided for long-term use by doctors as they have both short and long-term side effects.

• If the pain persists even after other chronic pain management techniques, your pain specialist may opt for interventional approaches like epidural injections, nerve block, and surgery.

Physical and psychological therapy:

• For psychological approaches, your psychologist may recommend relaxation techniques, such as meditation, mindfulness, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
• In physical therapy, your physiotherapist may suggest exercises like walking, swimming, and stretching as they help in mobility and improve muscle flexibility.

Lifestyle and holistic approaches- how to manage chronic pain naturally

Changing your lifestyle can also help you manage chronic pain and enhance your quality of life. Your doctor may suggest you:

• An anti-inflammatory diet.
• Acupuncture and massaging.
• Techniques to improve your sleep.
• Joining a support group.

These are also known as complementary therapies.

Final note

Chronic pain is not considered a normal part of aging. The secret to living a pain-free life lies in understanding the key factors that contribute to chronic pain and taking proactive steps to pain management. So, you should focus on aging like a fine wine.

If you are experiencing chronic pain, do not dismiss or ignore it. Seek professional help for persistent discomfort. Talk to your healthcare practitioner, or you can schedule an appointment with our telehealth doctor and start your pain management treatment immediately so you can enjoy your life to the fullest.

References:

• (Painaustralia – 2021-22 Pre-Budget Submissions, n.d.)
  https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-05/171663_painaustralia_0.pdf.
• (World Health Organization: WHO, 2020).
• Chronic pain. (2024, October 11). Cleveland Clinic.
  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4798-chronic-pain.
• Healthdirect Australia. (2023, August 15). Chronic pain. About, Causes and Management | Healthdirect.
  https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/chronic-pain
• Department of Health & Human Services. (n.d.). Living with persistent pain. Better Health Channel.
  https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/Living-with-persistent-pain#bhc-content.
• All American – Enfield. (2024, August 4). Is pain a normal part of aging? | Enfield. All American – Enfield |.
  https://allamericanatenfield.com/is-pain-a-normal-part-of-aging/.
• (“Aging: Are These 4 Pain Myths Complicating Care?,” 2012)
  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4356472/#sec7.
• (CPA_2024_NATIONAL_PAIN_REPORT, 2024)
  https://chronicpainaustralia.org.au/wp-content/uploads/NPW_2024/CPA_2024_NATIONAL_PAIN_REPORT.pdfPain. (n.d.). National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/pain
• Multidisciplinary pain management. (n.d.).
  https://www.painaustralia.org.au/static/uploads/files/painaust-factsheet4-aug-16-wfyaezqnplrj-wfitritogiwj.pdf.
• Healthdirect Australia. (2023a, July 5). Options for managing chronic pain.
  https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/options-for-managing-chronic-pain.