Better Health While Aging 162 – Chronic Pain in Aging: What Really Helps & What to Know About Prescription Painkillers
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Jun 21, 2025 Exploring the ins and outs of chronic pain in older adults, the discussion highlights common culprits like arthritis and spinal stenosis. It emphasizes the importance of comprehensive pain evaluations and personalized treatment plans. Listeners learn about effective non-drug methods such as physical therapy and mindfulness, alongside potential risks of prescription painkillers. The conversation aims to enhance the quality of life for seniors by advocating for a balanced approach that combines medication and holistic strategies.
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Chronic Pain Is Common But Not Normal
- Chronic pain is common in older adults but should never be considered normal or ignored.
- Pain often worsens due to factors like depression, loneliness, stress, and sleep issues, requiring a multidimensional approach.
Understanding Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
- Lumbar spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal causing nerve compression and symptoms like leg pain and numbness.
- Symptoms worsen when standing or walking and improve when leaning forward or sitting.
How To Describe Your Pain
- When evaluating pain, describe onset, location, duration, character, aggravating factors, radiation, and associated symptoms to your provider.
- This detailed information helps identify causes and tailor treatment effectively.