Is My Chronic Back Pain Normal if I'm Over 50?

“With age comes wisdom,” the old saying goes. But for many people, that wisdom also comes with aches and pains. Whether it’s stiff joints in the morning, sore muscles after a workout, or limited flexibility, your body changes as you age. 

And if you’ve noticed worsening back pain, you’re not alone. It’s a leading cause of disability. It gets more common after age 50. But is chronic back pain really normal?

The answer is: no. Chronic pain is never normal, and David A. Wiles, MD, can help you find relief.

Chronic back pain is not normal

Pain is a signal from your body to your brain. It alerts your brain that something’s not right, and as an important function, acute pain protects you from injury.

Chronic pain, on the other hand, stops serving a useful purpose. Pain lasts for weeks, months, or even years — and is often the result of degenerative conditions.

Pain gets more common as you age, but that doesn’t mean it’s normal. In fact, you should go to the doctor anytime you experience long-lasting pain, no matter how old you are.

Common causes of chronic back pain

About 80% of people suffer back pain in their lifetimes. Not everyone develops chronic pain, but an injury in your youth could increase your risk of chronic pain later.

A few of the most common causes of chronic back pain are:

• Arthritis
• Fractures
• Herniated disc
• Pinched nerves
• Poor posture
• Sciatica
• Scoliosis 
• Spinal stenosis

These conditions can cause debilitating pain that interferes with your life. But the good news is: they’re treatable.

Finding relief from chronic back pain

If you’re living with chronic back pain, don’t consider it an inevitable part of getting older. Back pain is treatable, and you deserve to enjoy a life with less pain — no matter your age.

Dr. Wiles and our team specialize in diagnosing back pain. We do a comprehensive physical exam, review your medical history, and ask about your symptoms. Sometimes, we order medical imaging tests, too.

Once we pinpoint the cause of your pain, we start working on a treatment plan.

Noninvasive back pain treatments

Noninvasive treatments don’t require any needles or incisions. Dr. Wiles may recommend:

• Anti-inflammatory medication
• Massage 
• Muscle relaxers
• Pain medication
• Physical therapy 
• Rest

For many people, a combination of these noninvasive therapies effectively relieve their back pain. 

Minimally invasive back pain treatments

Dr. Wiles also uses injections to reduce spinal inflammation and minimize pain. We may recommend several options depending on your condition, including:

• Epidural corticosteroid injections
• Facet joint injections
• Sacroiliac joint injections

Injections put anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medication exactly where you need it. For people with more severe pain, injections can provide significant relief.

Spine surgery for back pain

If you still have chronic pain after trying conservative treatments or injections, it might be time to consider back surgery. Dr. Wiles specializes in minimally invasive spine surgery, which offers fewer risks and better outcomes than traditional open surgery.

For some people, spine surgery is the best way to fix the source of chronic back pain and provide long-lasting relief.

Stop suffering back pain in silence. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Wiles to uncover the cause and find a solution that really works. Call our Chattanooga, Tennessee, office at 423-459-9800 or contact us online today.