Remember when you were young and you’d get a tummy ache, or maybe a sharp pain in your knee? Were you told you had growing pains? Well, growing pains are pretty common in kids as their bodies develop and adjust.
But if you’re over 60 with a sore back or joints, it’s probably not because you’re still growing. Here’s how to combat aches and pains as you age:
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Achy Lower Back
One of the most common chronic pains over 60 is an achy lower back. How can you prevent or treat this? Strength-training and resistance training are both very helpful for this. Why? Because they increase blood flow and help build up your core muscles, which then support your lower back, making it less achy.
It’s also a good idea to make sure that you stretch properly. Sometimes the pain may manifest in your back, but be caused from tightness or stiffness elsewhere.
Make sure that you stretch your hips and strengthen your buttocks to support your lower back and avoid pain.
You can also try physical therapy or heat presses and pads, if the pain persists.
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Headache
Do you suffer from headaches? Headaches are often provoked by muscle tension, which can be helped by exercise. Actually, movement is usually the solution to many of your aches and pains, as exercise helps to release stress and tension.
Again, making sure that you stretch properly around the neck area and avoid substances that can trigger migraines, like caffeine, will help.
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Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain is another common pain you get with age and is often due to the fact that you aren’t exercising. Strengthening the muscles around the shoulder is important.
Rest isn’t the answer. Resting for the rest of your life is not going to make things better.
Of course, in some cases you might need an operation, but that should always be the last resort. If you can correct the bad things you do with your body every day, like hunching over a computer, you can combat some potential problems. If you spend a long time at your desk, make sure that you get up and walk around.
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Muscle Pains
Aging isn’t easy on your muscles. Although we’ve mentioned on many occasions that you lose muscle mass as you age, you can help prevent this through regular exercise. Keeping your body healthy and fit is the best gift you can give to yourself and the surest way to avoid muscle pain. Check out some of our videos to give you exercises you can try at home.
