Elderly
Back pain — elderly
Chronic back pain is common with aging. Most is mechanical/degenerative; a small fraction is serious (fracture, malignancy, infection). The right approach usually combines movement therapy, targeted herbs, and avoiding bedrest.
Key points
- ✓Devil's claw has RCT evidence for chronic low back pain
- ✓Turmeric + piperine helps inflammatory components
- ✓White willow (salicin) is plant-aspirin — same cautions as aspirin
- ✓Movement beats bed rest — even with acute pain, gentle walking is appropriate
- ✓Core-strengthening physical therapy has the best long-term outcomes
Supportive herbs
Lifestyle & diet
Daily walking, physical therapy for core strengthening, proper lifting mechanics, supportive shoes, firm (not hard) mattress, avoid prolonged sitting. Tai chi and yoga have evidence.
When to see a clinician
Bowel or bladder incontinence, leg weakness, fever with back pain, unintended weight loss, night pain not relieved by position change, back pain after trauma — these are red flags.