7 Ways in Which Stretching Can Relieve Back Pain for Seniors
Stretching can be an effective way for seniors to manage and relieve their back pain. Many people think of stretching as something that only athletes or fitness fanatics do, but it’s actually for anyone looking for a natural and non-invasive way to reduce back pain. There are seven ways stretching can help seniors find relief from their back pain and other benefits:
- Increased flexibility
- Improved posture
- Increased blood flow
- Enhanced core strength
- Reduced stress levels
- Improved balance and stability
- General pain relief
Important Preliminary Facts About Senior Back Pain
Before discussing how stretching can aid in relieving back pain, we take a moment to consider some important preliminary facts about back pain and seniors. Back pain is a common problem, especially among seniors. As we age, our bodies don’t function well and are more prone to aches and pains. While some remedies help mitigate back pain and discomfort, it’s important to stay informed on the statistics associated with back pain to take proactive steps toward prevention. There are five important statistics regarding seniors and back pain:
Lower Back Pain Is the Most Common Pain in Seniors
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, lower back pain is the most commonly reported type in seniors aged 65 and older. This can be caused by several things. These causes range from poor posture to wear and tear on the spine from aging. It is important to treat back pain as soon as possible.
Over Half of Seniors Suffer From Back Pain
Studies have shown that over half of seniors suffer from moderate or severe chronic back pain at some point during their lifetime. This can lead to decreased quality of life for many, so if you’re experiencing chronic back pain, you must speak with your doctor immediately.
Back Pain Is More Common in Women Than Men
According to research by The National Institute of Health, women experience more frequent lower back pain episodes than men after they reach age 40. This could be due to hormonal changes that accompany menopause or other factors, such as lifestyle choices or existing medical conditions like osteoporosis or arthritis that are more common in women than men.
Poor Posture Can Increase the Risk
Poor posture can strain your spine and muscles leading to aches and pains in your upper and lower back. It’s important for seniors, especially those with weakened musculoskeletal systems, to practice good posture, whether sitting or standing, so that they don’t add additional strain on their backs, causing even more discomfort or injury down the line.
Exercise Can Help Reduce Pain Levels
Regular exercise has been repeatedly proven to be an effective way to reduce overall levels of chronic pain. By strengthening the muscles around our joints, we can begin reducing the pressure felt on our spines when performing normal activities. Stretching is a vital part of working to reduce back pain as well. Furthermore, staying active assists in addressing other health issues as well that include:
- Increased blood flow throughout our body
- Help with addressing inflammation
- Reducing stiffness
- Enhancing range of motion
- Improving balance
- Enhancing coordination
- Improving overall wellbeing
We now turn to the seven ways stretching can relieve back pain for senior women and men.
Increased Flexibility
Stretching regularly can increase flexibility, which helps reduce the chances of muscle strain when bending or lifting. It also reduces the pressure on joints caused by tight muscles and improves the range of motion in the spine, helping to keep the body in proper alignment. Plus, increased flexibility means seniors will be less likely to experience a sudden jolt of pain due to an unexpected movement.
Improved Posture
Poor posture is one of the major causes of back pain in seniors, as slouching and sitting in the same position for extended periods puts excess strain on the spine and lower back muscles. Regularly stretching key muscles, such as those in the chest and shoulders, helps improve posture and increases mobility by allowing for easier bodily movements like reaching or turning around.
Increased Blood Flow
Stretching circulates oxygenated blood throughout your body, reducing inflammation and relieving stiffness from poor posture or lack of movement over time. This improved blood flow also helps carry away lactic acid build-up from strenuous activities like exercise that can cause soreness or aches when allowed to linger too long in the body.
Enhanced Core Strength
One study conducted by Harvard Medical School showed that regular stretching promotes better core strength, which is essential for keeping our bodies upright and maintaining balance when standing up or walking around with stability. As our muscles weaken with age, regular stretching can help keep them strong, so we don’t experience sudden slips or falls due to weak ankles or hips causing instability while moving around during daily activities.
Reduced Stress Levels
Back pain can often be exacerbated by stress due to tension created from mental strain or emotional trauma that has been let fester over time without proper release mechanisms such as meditation or yoga practice. However, regular stretching helps create relaxation throughout your entire body, so you’re less likely to experience tension-related aches and pains in your lower back area due to physical exertion or mental exhaustion from everyday life stressors such as work deadlines or family issues.
Improved Balance and Stability
Research has shown that stretching certain parts of your body regularly can lead to better balance control and improved stability while walking around. This is especially beneficial for seniors who may be at greater risk of fall injuries due to age-related physical changes, like reduced coordination skills. Stretching keeps our legs flexible enough to function normally even if an extra weight has been gained over time due to sedentary lifestyles lacking proper activity levels each day.
General Pain Relief
Finally, there is no denying that regular stretching helps relieve chronic lower back pain. Studies have found that slow, gentle stretches performed multiple times throughout the day have proven most successful in helping alleviate discomfort caused by muscle spasms, tension headaches, sciatica nerve issues, slipped discs, herniated discs, etc.
By incorporating regular stretches into their everyday routine, senior citizens can significantly reduce their chances of developing painful conditions. This includes pain associated with aging, like osteoporosis, arthritis, degenerative joint disease, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, sciatica, and other diseases and conditions.