Ageing is not the same as winding down
Ageing is inevitable, but a decline in health or a sudden change in how you live is by no means a fact of life. There is every reason to stay fit and active as the years progress and staying active is one of the most reliable things you can do for your back and your joints. Retirement, when it comes, often brings the spare hours to invest in exactly that.
Wear and tear in the spine
As we age, wear and tear can contribute to several kinds of back pain and the stiffness that comes with them. The discs that sit between the vertebrae tend to become thinner and to hold less water over time, which reduces how well they cushion the spine and this can show up as stiffness, discomfort or a little less movement than you are used to. None of that means your spine is wearing out and for most people it responds very well to keeping active.
Osteoarthritis and what actually helps
Osteoarthritis, the gradual wear of a joint, becomes more common with age and is one of the more frequent reasons people come to see me. For osteoarthritis of the hip and knee, NICE recommends staying active, therapeutic exercise and weight management as the core of treatment, and chiropractic care may help you manage the pain and stiffness alongside that core approach. My role is to help keep you moving, not to reverse the changes of age and I will always be clear with you about the difference.
The hips can be a source of trouble too and I work with patients both before and after hip surgery, using gentle treatment and graded rehabilitation to support their recovery and help them get back to the things they enjoy. Muscle loss with age, known as sarcopenia, is part of the same picture and responds to the same answer: keep loading the muscles you want to keep and keep moving.
Occasional check-ups, where they earn their place
For those who suffer recurrent bouts of back pain, occasional scheduled check-ups can be a sensible part of keeping on top of it. There is good-quality trial evidence that planned maintenance care can reduce the number of days spent with recurrent low back pain, in people who have already responded well to an initial course of treatment. I would only ever suggest it where I believe it earns its place for you, never as a routine.
Your first appointment begins with a full history and examination, and our FAQ page answers many of the questions I am asked most often.
