Your bodies change as you age, and some of these changes might cause pain and suffering. Many seniors struggle with chronic pain, negatively influencing their quality of life. Surgery is frequently suggested to relieve pain, but it isn’t always the best choice, especially for elderly patients. Fortunately, several non-surgical techniques can aid seniors with physical discomfort.
Understanding the Sources of Seniors’ Physical Pain & Treatment Methods
Understanding the origins of bodily discomfort in seniors is crucial before exploring non-surgical pain management options. Seniors often experience discomfort for the following reasons:
- Osteoporosis
- Arthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- Nerve Injury
- Strained muscles
Seniors may find it challenging to carry out regular tasks due to these disorders’ persistent pain and suffering. Non-surgical treatments can reduce pain and enhance the quality of life.
When it comes to relieving seniors’ physical discomfort, there are several treatment options available that do not involve surgery. Listed below are some of the most productive choices available to you:
Physiotherapy
The body’s ability to move and function normally is the primary emphasis of physical therapy, a non-invasive treatment method. It may be especially helpful for older adults who have experienced a loss of movement due to pain or injury. Physical therapy sessions often include physical treatment techniques and stretching and strengthening exercises to reduce pain and increase mobility.
Acupuncture
Tiny needles are inserted into specific body areas during an acupuncture treatment, which originated in ancient Chinese medicine. It improves the body’s natural healing mechanisms and pain relief. It has been demonstrated that seniors with chronic pain problems like fibromyalgia and arthritis respond particularly well to acupuncture.
Chiropractic Adjustments
Chiropractic treatment is yet another non-surgical alternative for relieving pain in older patients. It includes making small adjustments to the spine and other joints throughout the body to enhance alignment and alleviate pain. It has been demonstrated that chiropractic treatment is especially helpful for relieving back pain in older adults.
Therapeutic Massage
The manipulation of the body’s soft tissues through massage therapy is a non-invasive method that may be used to treat various conditions. Kneading and massaging the muscles during massage treatment sessions is a common technique to facilitate relaxation and relieve pain.
Injections
Seniors may relieve their chronic pain with injections, an alternative to surgical procedures. Injections of corticosteroids can assist in reducing inflammation and discomfort in joints, while nerve block injections can help alleviate pain caused by nerve injury.
Non-Surgical Treatment Methods for Joint Pain
Here are a few examples of joint pain management methods in elders:
Laser therapy
It is a form of treatment that uses a low-level laser on the afflicted region to alleviate pain and inflammation. The laser light can enter the skin and activate the cells, leading to an acceleration of the healing process and a reduction in discomfort. The treatment of illnesses such as arthritis, back pain, and sports injuries frequently involves the utilization of this technique.
Amino Derived Cellular Therapy
Injections containing amino acids and growth factors, known as amino-derived cellular therapy, are used in this treatment. The goal of this treatment is to stimulate the regeneration of injured tissue. The treatment uses the body’s innate capacity for healing to alleviate pain and inflammation. Conditions like osteoarthritis and tendinitis are treated using this modality of treatment.
Facet Joint Injections
Injections into the facet joints are a form of therapy that entails the insertion of a corticosteroid and a local anesthetic into the facet joint, which is the junction between two vertebrae in the spine. Although the anesthetic offers almost instantaneous pain relief, the corticosteroid works to bring the inflammation level down. Conditions such as spinal arthritis and facet joint syndrome are frequently treated with this treatment method.
Benefits of Non-surgical Procedures for Pain Relief
The following are some advantages of non-surgical methods for elder pain relief:
Minimal Invasion
The less invasive nature of non-surgical techniques eliminates the need for significant incisions and prolonged healing times. Seniors may benefit the most from this as they may experience more difficulties or have a tougher time recuperating from surgery.
Less Danger of Problems
While non-surgical techniques are less intrusive than surgical ones, they often have a lesser risk of problems. The ability to avoid the dangers of general anesthesia and a protracted recovery time can provide elders and their loved ones peace of mind.
More Cost-Effective
Non-surgical procedures are frequently less expensive, making them a more practical choice for older citizens on a tight budget or those without insurance. This enables elders to get the necessary pain treatment without going bankrupt.
Specific Pain Management
Many non-surgical methods target particular bodily parts, including joints or nerves, to focus on pain alleviation. Seniors who have arthritis or nerve damage may find this to be especially helpful because these disorders can lead to persistent discomfort in particular body parts.
Conclusion
In conclusion, chronic pain might substantially impact seniors’ ability to conduct everyday tasks and enjoy pastimes. Although surgery may be advised in some circumstances, there are better choices than this, especially for older adults. Effective pain management is available without surgery’s hazards and recovery time thanks to non-surgical methods. It’s crucial to consult a healthcare professional if you or a loved one is suffering from chronic pain to identify the underlying reason and look into non-surgical methods for pain management.
Written by: Samantha Higgins
Samantha Higgins is a professional writer with a passion for research, observation, and innovation. She is nurturing a growing family of twin boys in Portland, Oregon with her husband. She loves kayaking and reading creative non-fiction.