A: As we get older aches and pains are very common. It is normal for our muscles to feel tighter and for our tendons and ligaments to be less flexible. This may be caused by weak muscles, or you may be under or overusing them.
You may have osteoarthritis, which causes the cartilage between your bones to break down and cause joint pain. Or rheumatoid arthritis, which is an inflammatory condition which causes stiff and swollen joints. If you or your friends don’t know the cause of the pain, it’s always best to see a doctor.
One of the best things we can do to reduce these aches and pains is to keep moving, and to keep stretching. Our bodies naturally take longer to heal as we age and staying limber can help prevent injury. The more you can be consistent with a stretching and exercise routine daily the better off your body will feel.
As with most everything I write about, it is helpful to be proactive. When feeling new aches and pains start with a physical exam to learn if there is a root cause you can address. Do not ignore them until they get worse and unbearable.
See what can be done to reduce pain, such as drinking more water, stretching more, making dietary changes or sleeping better. Ice packs or cold compresses can help to reduce swelling. Heating pads can promote healing and relax muscles. Sometimes switching between the two can help ease discomfort. As always, check with your doctor on what is best in your situation.
Once you are addressing the pain by following your doctor’s guidance and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, you can then can also focus on your mindset.
When someone is living with chronic pain it can lead to fatigue, frustration and depression. It can make it more difficult to be motivated to try new things to address the pain. Working with a licensed therapist to develop better coping strategies may be helpful if there are feelings of depression and a lack of motivation.
Mindfulness practice can also do a lot to change how we perceive pain. We can focus on activities that bring us joy. Deep breathing and gentle yoga can change how we feel.
Some people see aches and pains as a natural part of life and do not give them much attention or control over their day. This is not to say that these physical feelings are not real and difficult to manage, but often there is much that can be changed by the way we give them attention.
Often when one person starts to complain it gives permission for others to join in. While anyone in pain deserves to be validated and supported, when the focus of the conversation is complaining it can bring the mood down. You may want to reflect that in a kind way to your friends, and keep that in mind yourself.
There are many suggestions on how to handle aches and pains. Start with recognizing and validating that your friends are struggling. Gently share some of these ideas and see what they have done already to proactively help their discomfort. Use these tips for yourself, as well. It is never too early to start some practices in our daily lives to maintain flexible and healthy as we age.
Martha Shapiro can be reached at Senior Concerns at 805-497-0189 or by email at mshapiro@seniorconcerns.org
