Back Pain Archive

Chronic low back pain affects as many as one-third of adults ages 65 and older and can be difficult to treat. A 2025 study found that adding 12 weeks of acupuncture to usual care resulted in greater pain relief and better function that lasted as long as a year after the treatments.

Pain that starts at the base of the skull and radiates to one side of the forehead may be a cervicogenic headache. These headaches are sometimes mistaken for tension headaches or migraines. Cervicogenic headaches originate from a problem around the top of the spine. Possible causes include a herniated disk, arthritis, or an injury, such as whiplash. Treatments include pain relievers, physical therapy, and injections of steroids or anesthetics.

A 2025 analysis of 19 randomized controlled trials involving 6,500 people found that tramadol, a widely prescribed opioid drug, was only mildly effective at reducing chronic pain. It increased the risks for both mild and serious side effects, including heart problems.

In a 2025 study, people with knee osteoarthritis reported less pain and had less knee cartilage damage after changing their walking gait to reduce pressure on the inner part of the knee.

Costochondritis, which is inflammation of the cartilage between the ribs and the breastbone, is one of the most common causes of chest pain and is frequently mistaken for a heart attack.

Chronic pelvic pain-medically known as chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome, or CP/CPPS-is one of the more common and challenging conditions older men face. Because the underlying cause may not be identified, doctors often take a trial-and-error approach to managing the common symptoms like throbbing, aching pain, urination problems, and sexual dysfunction. Options include different types of medication, physiotherapy, shock wave therapy, and aerobic exercise.

An x-ray, CT scan, or MRI is usually not needed for addressing low back pain unless people have other symptoms or risk factors for a serious condition. Short-term rest, heat or cold, and over-the-counter medication can ease discomfort until the back pain goes away.