Britain’s National Back Pain Association established the first week of October as Back Care Awareness Week. It’s a time for people to learn more about the causes of back pain and what you can do to address issues, such as physical therapy.
Back pain is common in older adults and is often tied to arthritis in the spine and spinal stenosis. It’s a leading cause of disability and mobility issues. It’s not something to ignore when your dad has chronic back pain.
Understanding Spinal Arthritis
Arthritis affects people of all ages, but the older you are, the more likely it is. It’s a condition where the joints in the body lose fluid and cartilage after years of use. Often, osteoarthritis affects the ankles, knees, shoulders, and hips, but it can impact the spinal column.
What are the signs of spinal arthritis? Lower back pain is common, and it may come and go. Sometimes, the pain extends to the hips, buttocks, and pelvis. Pain may travel to the hips, knees, shoulders, and ankles. This form of arthritis can lead to weakness and numbness in the arms and legs.
What is Spinal Stenosis?
Spinal stenosis is a condition where the spaces in the lumbar canal shrink, which puts pressure on the nerves (foraminal stenosis) or spinal cord (central canal stenosis). This creates symptoms like:
- Back pain
- Difficulty with ambulation
- Incontinence
- Leg cramps and pain
- Loss of balance
- Neck pain
- Numbness and tingling in the arms and legs
Those are common symptoms, but not everyone experiences symptoms. It’s more common after the age of 50. There are four stages of this condition.
- Dysfunction: Mild discomfort and changes in the curvature of the spine
- Dehydration: Increased pain, bone spurs, and disc dehydration
- Stabilization: Severe back pain, muscle aches, and stiffness with loss of mobility
- Collapsing: Spinal collapse and herniated discs causing extreme pain
Other Causes of Back Pain
When the pain is in the lower back, you should consider the risk of a UTI. The signs of a UTI may not be what you’d normally think of, especially if your dad has dementia. Agitation, anger, and confusion are signs. Incontinence is another. If he does have a UTI, back pain can indicate the infection has reached his kidneys. Seek care immediately.
If your dad twisted wrong, slept in an awkward position, or lifted something heavier than he could manage, it can strain the muscles in the back. This is a temporary situation and within a couple of days, he should feel better. Working with a physical therapist can help him build strength in his back muscles and improve his posture to avoid strain.
Physical therapy helps strengthen the muscles in the back and shoulder. That can help ease back pain. Working with a physical therapist on pain management techniques is also helpful. Talk to your dad about his issues with back pain, book an appointment with his doctor to rule out any health issues, and then call a physical therapy specialist with your questions.
