We all get older, it’s a fact of life. As much as some of us would love to find the fountain of youth and relive those years when we didn’t have muscle pain, joint stiffness, or body aches, it is just not possible (yet, anyway).
So, how do we go about relaxing that muscle tension and easing that joint pain so we don’t groan each time we get up from a chair?
Well, it is important to pay attention to what our body is telling us so we can sort it out as soon as possible, or at least get the proper support from a doctor. There are people such as Donald Ford, MD, a Cleveland Clinic family medicine physician, who speaks on the reason why as we age we start to feel things more, and why our nerve and muscle function decides to play up.
Today though, we will be surface-diving into what you can do to help yourself get some pain relief for your sore muscles and joint pain. If you want to learn more or you need targeted help, then there are professionals you can listen to, or you may want to speak to your doctor about a course of treatment if it turns into unmanageable chronic pain.
Causes of Aches and Pains
All of us, no matter the age we are will, at some point, have some body pain issues that knock us back, whether it is knee pain from kneeling too long or carpal tunnel issues from constantly using a laptop/computer. Whilst these are bound to happen at some point, aging is the time when people really do feel it a lot more.
Sources of Pain
There are some main sources of age related pain, three to be exact, that seniors go through which needs to be understood so that they, and their families, can help them if they happen to pick any of them up along the way. Chronic pain does build up with age, so taking care of senior members of that family is crucial to avoid more injury and stress.
Arthritis
Arthritis is when joints swell and become tender, the tissue around the joint breaks down which then causes inflammation. There are more than 100 different forms of arthritis, however, the most common ones are –
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Psoriatic Arthritis
The wearing down of bones happens with age causing joint stiffness and painful reactions in the body. It can feel like a dull and grinding ache which can be tough to manage and walking starts to feel like a nightmare. This is why many people suffering from arthritis rely on Adult Walkers to get a little support while walking.
Osteoporosis
This is classified as a weakening of the bones, and is a lot more common in women and can happen at the beginning of menopause due to the loss of estrogen. Bone density becomes less as we age, whereas when we are younger our bone density is a lot stronger with bones being able to repair quickly. Brittle and fragile bones result in fractures and can mean that bones take a lot longer to heal.
Sarcopenia
This is also known as muscle wasting. As the body ages, nutrients are not able to be absorbed into the body like they used to, and with a decrease in appetite, older adults are not able to get what is required from their food. This turns into a loss of muscle mass and something as simple as a stretch can cause muscles to get pulled and more pain in a variety of areas.
What Can Be Done?
It can be quite worrying for people getting older as they will feel a difference in their bodies that can be jarring. It builds up over time and joint health will diminish no matter what they do, even slightly, as age related changes are a natural part of life.
It is good to look at what’s out there, from natural remedies that can give relief to stubborn aches, all the way to exercises that will promote blood flow in the body that can aid in building core muscles to reduce pain and pressure.
Home Remedies For Aches and Pains
For effective pain relief, there are some things that you can do at home to support your body and reduce any pain caused by daily life.
Exercise/Diet
A diet filled with healthy fats and foods will be a huge plus to the body, not only will it support your immune system but it will also help with any weight issues. If you are overweight or obese in old age, that can cause too much pressure on your joints and bones, which will contribute to musculoskeletal problems.
Food Triggers
Certain foods that contain saturated fats, sugar, salt, and so on, are bad for the body and your health. They can cause inflammation and make it harder to you to stay active. It can also contribute to making you feel out of breath more and you could end up on medication to help your heart and lungs function. This is not ideal.
Vitamin D
This vitamin is essential to help you absorb calcium to strengthen your bones. You will get vitamin D by going outside and soaking up the sun, which will be a bonus for your daily exercise. However, if you are unable to be out enough to get the right amount, you need to speak to your doctor about a supplement that will give you your daily allowance.
Vitamin E is also an essential vitamin for you, so ingesting olive oil, almonds, salmon, etc., is a great way at getting this type of vitamin.
Regular exercise
Walking, tai chi, or doing an exercise class, will help with getting your daily activity in and supporting your joint health and bone health. It is also a perfect way to reduce inflammation and improve cardiovascular disease effects.
Heat Therapy/Cold Therapy
Using heat wraps and ice packs can be very helpful when suffering from a few body aches and muscle pains. Heat is effective for lower back pain relief and cold calms down inflammation and swelling that can occur from sprains and strains.
Alternate The Two
It might be best to alternate between heat and cold to see which one is best for your aches and pains. The soft tissues in your body will change as you age which can cause joint stiffness, so if remedies like ibuprofen and paracetamol aren’t helping, then you may find it best to apply an ice pack or heat pack to the area.
Massage
A massage on aching joints may be the way to go, not only can it help with muscle pain and spasms but it can also reduce stress and calm the mind, which is great for older adults who may be feeling a lot of stress and pain as they get older.
Pain Relief Medication
Medication is always one of the first go-tos that people opt for, some of them can be incredibly fast acting when a muscle starts pulsating, or a headache appears.
There are quite a few options on the market, so you will need to discuss them with your doctor first to see what they recommend as they need to make sure they do not interact with any other medication you may be taking.
Meds that are used most are –
- Ibuprofen
- Acetaminophen
- Asprin
There are prescription medications too, they can be a lot stronger and may be best if you suffer from chronic pain caused by your age. One of the other emerging treatments for pain medication these days is medical marijuana. The usage of this has been legalized in many states across different countries, which is why many people might want to give it a try. Plus, a host of products like popcorn buds, moonrock concentrates, and herbivore edible pastries can enable interested people to opt for what they prefer. If your doctor is okay with the consumption of marijuana, then you could opt for a medical marijuana card and embark on the journey.
There are several strains which have a variety of compounds in them, some potent, while others might be mellower. Considering that the term might be thrown around in dispensaries and cannabis clinics, you could be asking yourself, what is delta 11? For clarity, it is a potent and psychoactive cannabinoid used to treat medical conditions and pain. Much like other variants of the THC compound, it could come in the form of edibles, dabs, wax, and more. But it might also be available in bud form, which is generally available depending on where you get it from.
Always start small, and then you can slowly graduate to a quarter pound (learn more), which should last you for weeks, depending on the level of pain you have and your tolerance.
Conclusion
When anyone suffers from aches and pains in their body it can become a nightmare trying to sort them out, so when it affects people who are older, it can be a lot to handle along with everything else.
Bone loss, reduced muscle function, and swollen joints may be a part of getting older, but that doesn’t mean that people should suffer from severe symptoms simply due to their age group. There is help out there, whether it is through medical help or home remedies, your body deserves a fighting chance.