One in five adults suffers from chronic pain, and if you’re 65 or older, you may be even more likely to experience ongoing pain lasting three months or longer. Not only does chronic pain significantly impact quality of life, it is linked to depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Many older adults chalk up chronic pain from conditions like arthritis, low back problems, and nerve or joint deterioration as an inevitable part of aging. And while some pain may become more frequent as we age, it doesn’t mean we have to accept it as unavoidable or rely only on medications to help. About 15% of adults 65 and older regularly use pain relievers; however, these drugs can cause serious side effects, interact with other medications, or create dependency. Both the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) and the American College of Physicians (ACP) recommend noninvasive, non-drug approaches like acupuncture, massage, meditation, and tai chi as the first step in treating many painful conditions.
