Aches, Pains and ‘Wear and Tear’: Getting Older Does Not Mean Giving Up

Aches and pains become more common as we get older, but age is not a diagnosis.

Scans do not tell the whole story

Scans often show changes in discs and joints in people who feel perfectly well. Equally, somebody can be very uncomfortable without dramatic imaging findings. It is usually more useful to consider symptoms, function and the individual than to focus only on the words "degeneration" or "wear and tear".

Keep moving

Regular activity is one of the most useful things you can do for musculoskeletal health. Walking, strengthening, swimming, cycling or another form of exercise you can sustain is usually more valuable than searching for a perfect movement.

Pain that should not be dismissed as age

Pain that is new, severe or behaving differently deserves attention. A hot swollen joint, unexplained fever, progressive weakness, persistent numbness, unexplained weight loss or pain following significant trauma should not simply be dismissed as age.

What osteopathic care can and cannot do

Osteopathic care may be useful for some musculoskeletal symptoms, but it does not reverse arthritis or make age-related structural changes disappear. Where hands-on care is used, it should support movement and self-management rather than replace them.

Getting older changes the body. It does not mean every ache is inevitable or that movement should be avoided.