Is My Pain Just Because I'm Getting Older?
Short Answer
Not necessarily.
While our bodies change as we age, pain is not simply an unavoidable consequence of getting older. Many people remain active, capable, and relatively pain-free well into their later decades of life.
Dr. Ethan Marler, Chiropractor, often works with patients who have been told that their pain is "just aging" when the reality is often more complex. Factors such as activity levels, movement habits, previous injuries, workload, sleep, stress, overall health, and physical capacity can all influence how someone feels. Age may be one piece of the picture, but it is rarely the entire explanation.
Why This Question Matters
As we age, changes naturally occur throughout the body.
For example:
Joints change over time
Discs in the spine change over time
Tendons and muscles adapt over time
Recovery may take longer than it did in younger years
These changes are normal.
However, research has shown that many people without pain have age-related findings on imaging such as:
Arthritis
Disc degeneration
Disc bulges
Joint changes
In other words, age-related changes do not automatically mean someone will experience pain.
A useful comparison is wrinkles. Most people develop wrinkles as they age, but wrinkles do not necessarily hurt. Similarly, many structural changes seen on imaging are normal parts of aging and may not be responsible for symptoms.
Pain is often influenced by a combination of factors, not simply what appears on an X-ray or MRI.
What May Help
Many people become less active because they are worried movement will make things worse.
In reality, staying active is often one of the most important things people can do as they age.
General strategies that may help include:
Maintaining regular movement
Continuing activities you enjoy when possible
Building strength gradually
Walking regularly
Managing workload appropriately
Prioritizing sleep and recovery
Avoiding the mindset that pain automatically means damage
The goal is not to ignore symptoms. The goal is to continue finding safe and meaningful ways to move while understanding that discomfort does not always mean harm.
Dr. Marler’s Approach
Dr. Marler is often less interested in a person's age than in what they can currently do and what they want to be able to do.
A 65-year-old who enjoys golfing, hiking, travelling, or exercising may have very different goals than someone else of the same age.
Rather than focusing solely on imaging findings or age-related labels, Dr. Marler looks at:
Current function
Activity tolerance
Movement patterns
Strength and capacity
Lifestyle demands
Previous injuries
Personal goals
Treatment may include chiropractic adjustments when appropriate, soft tissue therapy, movement recommendations, rehabilitation strategies, and education.
The focus is helping people build confidence and capacity so they can continue participating in meaningful activities, regardless of age.
When to get Assessed
It may be worth booking an assessment if:
Pain is limiting activities you enjoy
Symptoms are affecting work, exercise, sleep, or daily life
You have become less active because of pain
You are unsure whether symptoms are related to a specific condition
You have been told your pain is "just aging" but have not received a clear explanation
An assessment can help identify factors that may be contributing to symptoms and provide guidance on improving function and activity tolerance.
Frequently asked questions
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Many people are surprised to learn that arthritis and pain do not always occur together. Research has shown that many adults have signs of arthritis on X-rays or MRIs without experiencing any symptoms at all.
Arthritis is a common age-related change that occurs in many joints over time. Seeing arthritis on imaging does not automatically mean it is the cause of your pain.
Dr. Marler often explains that imaging findings are only one piece of the puzzle. Symptoms are also influenced by factors such as activity levels, strength, recovery, stress, sleep, previous injuries, and overall physical capacity.
This is why assessment is important. Rather than assuming arthritis is the sole explanation, Dr. Marler focuses on understanding how symptoms behave, how they affect function, and what factors may be contributing to your current situation.
The goal is not simply to explain pain with an imaging report but to help people continue participating in meaningful activities.
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No.
Disc bulges are common findings on MRI scans, particularly as people get older. In fact, many people who have no back pain at all have disc bulges visible on imaging.
This can be surprising because patients often assume that finding a disc bulge automatically explains their symptoms.
The reality is more complex.
Imaging findings do not always correlate with pain levels. Some people have significant changes on MRI and function very well, while others have minimal findings but substantial symptoms.
Dr. Marler frequently reminds patients that imaging should be interpreted within the context of their symptoms, examination findings, and overall function.
A disc bulge may be relevant in some cases, but it is not automatically the cause of pain simply because it appears on a scan.
The more important question is often how the condition is affecting your ability to move, work, exercise, and participate in daily life.
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For most people, yes.
Many people worry that exercise will worsen arthritis or accelerate joint damage. Current evidence generally suggests the opposite. Appropriate physical activity is often one of the most beneficial things people can do for long-term joint health.
Exercise may help improve:
Strength
Mobility
Balance
Function
Activity tolerance
Confidence with movement
This does not mean every exercise is appropriate for every person. The best activities depend on factors such as symptoms, fitness levels, previous injuries, and personal goals.
Dr. Marler often encourages patients to focus on finding activities they enjoy and can perform consistently. Walking, strength training, cycling, swimming, and recreational sports may all be appropriate depending on the individual.
The goal is not to avoid movement because of arthritis. The goal is to build the capacity needed to stay active and continue doing the things that matter most.
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Age can influence the body, but age alone is rarely the entire explanation for back pain.
Many factors tend to change over time, including:
Activity levels
Strength
Recovery capacity
Work demands
Previous injuries
General health
Because of this, it can be difficult to separate age from everything else that happens throughout life.
Dr. Marler often sees older adults who are highly active and functioning extremely well, as well as younger adults who are struggling with significant pain. This highlights an important point: age alone does not determine how your back will feel.
While age-related changes are normal, they do not automatically mean pain is inevitable.
Many people can improve their symptoms and function through appropriate activity, strength development, workload management, and healthy lifestyle habits.
The focus should not be on trying to feel younger. The focus should be on maintaining and building capacity for the activities that matter to you.
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In most cases, absolutely.
Many people assume that arthritis means they should stop exercising, stop playing sports, or avoid activities they enjoy. In reality, remaining active is often one of the most important factors in maintaining long-term function and quality of life.
Having arthritis does not automatically mean:
You must stop running
You must stop golfing
You must stop strength training
You must avoid recreational activities
The key is finding an appropriate level of activity and progressing gradually when necessary.
Dr. Marler often works with people who want to continue participating in meaningful activities despite age-related changes or arthritis diagnoses. Rather than focusing on limitations, he focuses on helping patients build the capacity needed to tolerate the activities they value.
The goal is not simply to manage arthritis. The goal is to help people continue living active, fulfilling lives despite the presence of normal age-related changes.