Is It Normal Aging or Back and Neck Problems?
- Posted on: Aug 15 2020
- Leave a response
It’s no secret that your body changes as you get older. You may find yourself waking up with more aches and pains than you used to in your younger days. It can be hard to determine which of those achy joints and muscles are natural from aging or more cause for concern. Here are some things to look for that could be a sign of something more serious than normal aging.
Some estimates say 85% of people experience some sort of neck or back pain. And most people will start noticing this pain in their back between the ages of 40 and 60. But it isn’t uncommon to start noticing it even as young as 30.
While some spine pain is perfectly normal, there are some signs in your neck or back that you should be aware of to rule out something more severe like a tumor or infection.
If you feel severe pain in your neck or back that interferes with your daily life, you should seek medical help. Here are some other symptoms to watch out for:
- Fever
- Weakness
- Numbness or tingling
- Unexplained weight loss
- Increased pain at night
- Bladder or bowel incontinence
- Shooting pain down the legs
- Severe pain that doesn’t improve after you’ve rested
- Pain after you’ve fallen or injured yourself
Even if you don’t experience some of these more serious symptoms if you’re experiencing back or neck pain regularly, there’s no harm in seeing a doctor about it. In fact, it might help prevent more serious problems from occurring if there’s a way to correct your posture or other daily activities that could be causing your pain. Some possible treatment options your doctor may prescribe are:
- Medications
- Injections
- Physical therapy
- Surgery
Other ways to avoid having joint or muscle issues in the future are pretty standard healthy practices including diet and exercise. Carrying excess weight has been proven to be hard on your joints, so exercise and diet are key to helping live a healthier, pain-free life.
If you’re experiencing unexplained back or neck pain, don’t hesitate to give our office a call at (707) 544-3400.
Posted in: Orthopaedic Care
