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Managing Neck and Back Pain as We Age
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Managing Neck and Back Pain as We Age
I’ve had my own issues with my back and neck, so I found this interview particularly interesting.
In this interview, journalist Clare Johnston talks to spinal neurosurgeon Mr Anthony Ghosh about what actually happens to our spines as we age and, more importantly, what we can do about it.
The interview covers these key points:
🔸Spinal ageing and MRI scans
Changes in our discs can start showing up on scans from our 30s, even in people who have absolutely no pain. An ageing spine doesn’t automatically mean a painful spine.
🔸Spinal stenosis and avoiding surgery
Nerve compression can cause pain that travels into the legs, but surgery isn’t always the first answer. Physiotherapy, stretching and strengthening may help, depending on the condition.
🔸Why variety of movement matters
Repeating the same movement all day or sitting for hours isn’t ideal. Mr Ghosh encourages a mixture of movement, strength training and cardiovascular exercise.
🔸Tech neck and keeping our necks mobile
Looking down at phones and laptops for hours can put extra strain on our necks. He discusses simple mobility exercises, including chin tucks, and why regularly moving is so important.
🔸Posture and strength training
You don’t necessarily need an expensive ergonomic chair or perfect posture. Changing positions regularly matters, and resistance training can help maintain muscle and bone strength as we age. The key is progressing gradually.
🔸Osteoporosis, bulging discs and sciatica
Exercise can often be adapted to suit different conditions. He also explains why many people with sciatica improve over time without surgery.
🔸Hormones, bone health and ageing
An interesting discussion about menopause, stiffness, bone density and the importance of maintaining muscle strength as we get older.
My biggest takeaway? Our spines may change with age, but that doesn’t mean we should automatically accept pain and reduced mobility as inevitable.
For me, the combination of yoga, walking, netball and paying attention to my diet has been incredibly helpful.
💬 I’d love to hear from others who struggle with back or neck pain. What has made the biggest difference for you?
Watch the interview here: https://youtu.be/jEQlwwcgGmk?si=YU3a4uvHAehxDLeh
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1 Reply
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I have heard it said that good digestion also plays a major roll in bone/joint health, our bodies are in a constant cycle of breaking down damaged/defective cells, and replacing them, that requires the body to get a good supply of various vitamins, minerals and trace elements, in order to build what it needs, as we get older, the digestive system becomes less efficient, the reasons for this are to my knowledge, still being debated, but the net result is an imbalance between what is broken down, the the ability to rebuild at a cellular level, additionally, healthy blood supply is also essential, that is the distribution system to get nutrients where they are needed, medications can also be a causal factor for the body’s inability to repair itself, DMARD class rings a bell, can’t remember exactly why, but it has something to do with blocking proteoglycan production.
Isn’t the body amazing))
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