Getting older can be a pain in the neck, but is neck pain a normal part of getting older? Millions of older Americans suffer from daily neck pain, and many of them just assume it’s a normal part of getting older. While we are all prone to some natural degeneration, that doesn’t mean that neck pain should be considered normal or expected as we age. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at age-related neck pain and how to treat the condition.
Neck Pain And The Aging Process
If you only take one thing away from this blog, let it be this – neck pain is more likely as you get older and structures have endured decades of regular wear and tear, but the onset of neck pain is not normal. So if you begin developing neck pain or you’ve been trying to ignore daily flare ups, know that this isn’t normal and that you shouldn’t ignore it. If you keep doing the same things while hoping the problem will go away on its own, odds are the issue will always get worse. Know that neck pain is not normal, even in your golden years, and that proactive treatment is best.
But what are some of the best ways to treat age-related neck pain? First, we must take a closer look at some of the most common causes of neck pain in seniors. Some common reasons why older individuals may begin to suffer from neck pain include:
- Degenerative disc disease
- Bulging or herniated cervical discs
- Spinal arthritis
- Spinal stenosis
While there are certainly other causes of neck pain, like a pinched nerve or a muscle strain after suffering whiplash, the four conditions above are all more likely to occur in older individuals. Wear and tear and pressure over the years can lead to disc breakdown, arthritis onset, shifting discs or the narrowing of your spinal canal, but again, their onset should not be considered normal or expected.
Diagnosis & Treatment Options
If you believe you may be dealing with one of these conditions, reach out to a spine specialist like Dr. Sinicropi. He’ll begin with a physical exam to see if any movement exercises cause symptom prevalence or relief. He’ll also ask about your symptoms and look into your medical history to see if certain conditions could have a familial connection. Finally, he’ll use imaging tests to view the area and look for bone or disc abnormalities that could be contributing to pain.
Once a diagnosis has been given, treatment can begin, and in most cases treatment involves a few simple changes. Odds are physical therapy or a similar exercise or stretching program will be recommended, and your doctor may also walk you through how certain medications can help. They’ll also talk to you about the importance of regular exercise, a healthy diet and making sure your posture isn’t contributing to your back pain.
In most instances, these non-operative treatments work wonders and can help provide neck pain relief in a matter of days or weeks. In rare instances, a more hands-on treatment may be recommended, and Dr. Sinicropi can provide you with this care as well. If that involves a corticosteroid injection or a minimally invasive procedure, he can help take care of your neck pain.
So if you are dealing with neck pain and you want to take the simple steps needed to find relief, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi and his talented medical staff today.
How To Convince Someone To See A Spine Specialist
Spine specialists and medical professionals do a great job of helping their patients find relief from back pain, but we can only help you if you’re willing to come into the office. Don’t let back pain continue to affect your life simply because you won’t take the time to have a professional look at it. And while you may be able to make this decision for yourself, oftentimes it is hard to convince a stubborn friend or family member to seek help. In today’s blog, we share some tips for helping convince someone to seek out professional care for their back pain.
