The Aging Man: How to Manage Chronic Pain and Improve Your Quality of Life
By Tom Herrin
I once had an older friend who often said, “I feel pretty good, but if I had felt this way 30 years ago, I would have thought something was wrong with me.” It always seemed funny, but there is some degree of truth in it. The lucky among us live long lives, but getting older is going to accompany us. Aging is a very natural process we go through. But aging can come with quite a bit of aching and chronic pain. Although some of it may be due to serious health conditions, much of it is something we may be able to deal with. Maybe even reduce or eliminate.
How many people have you known who called it quits? They retired, then sat around doing very little. And what happened? Their bodies deteriorated, and they lost their ability to be active and enjoy life.
Mind over matter is a real thing. If we have determined that we are old and broken down, we will feel that way. On the other hand, if we men continue to find ways to be active, we may be able to age gracefully and enjoy life to the fullest.
How Men Can Grow Old Gracefully
It is important that we view aging as an opportunity instead of a burden. For most countries, life expectancy has increased because we have found ways to take better care of ourselves. Until the early twentieth century, many people were literally working themselves to death. Modern advancements have made work more efficient and less painful. With this in mind, we have been able to actually have more available time for other activities. Activities that we enjoy and make us feel more fulfilled.
More recreational time has brought with it some new challenges. We may no longer work ourselves to death, but instead suffer injuries due to some other activity -- such as sports. The fact that we keep moving is critical to being successful in our anti-aging efforts. I know, from personal experience, that when I keep moving, I feel much less pain. There is no doubt that when we improve circulation, we feel better and have fewer injuries.
All you have to do is look around you. You more and more individuals participating in activities that may not have been considered before. Lots of older people participate in group dancing or aerobic fitness activities. There are also some other activities such as tai chi, which is practiced by many to increase speed, reactions, and build confidence. There are exercise groups of all kinds. Some are done in water to ease the physical strain.
We must work to reduce stress, get enough sleep, and avoid smoking. As men age, our skin tends to get thinner and drier. There is nothing wrong with babying the skin a little. Lotions are not just for the young, or for women. Keeping our skin moist can pay off in a big way, as can protecting it from the sun. Our significant others will appreciate that.
Doing whatever you can to stay mentally alert can help a lot. Too many people fail to do mental exercise, which is encouraged by doctors in order to keep the brain sharp. I always try to find some kind of activities to make me think and use my memory. Games and puzzles are great for this if you can’t find anything else. Crossword puzzles, brain teasers, Sudoku … whatever it takes, make sure you keep your brain active. Heck, start watching “Jeopardy!”
How to Manage Chronic Pain and Use Your Chiropractor
We may still have people with chronic pain, but we have a much better understanding of how to provide effective pain management. It is important for us to understand the kinds of pain we are dealing with. At one time, the prescription for recovery from injuries seemed to be just rest. We now know that physical therapy can help us to return to full activity sooner. There is no shame in allowing someone to help you get better, to move more fully and completely. There’s no shame in going to the doctor, which is something that men tend to avoid.
It is important to understand the difference between acute and chronic pain. The easiest way to think of it is that acute pain is something like an injury, a broken bone or a cut on the finger, for example. But chronic pain is something that lasts for more than three months, such as pain when walking because of a back issue or maybe something internal. If we have something that is acute, we may be able to fully recover after mixing rest and treatment. It has a limit. If it is chronic, we may need to take a completely different approach.
Chiropractors can treat most kinds of pain. If you need to treat chronic pain, you will want to have a definite plan to eliminate or reduce pain. Good pain management will require you to do your homework; that is, you will likely need to follow your chiropractor’s suggestions if you want the best results. Remember, you want pain relief as well as greater ability to function. Your chiropractor can help you avoid pain medications. This means reduced chances of any negative side effects, but importantly removes the threat of addiction to painkillers.
Developing good practices are vital to achieving the level of comfort you seek. It becomes even more important to have a good warm-up and cooldown with exercise. Using warm and/or cold substances may also be key in keeping your body at a tolerable level of pain or keeping pain away.
Key Indicators of Good Quality of Life
Some people confuse the term “standard of living” with quality of life. They are both dealing with some of the same things, but the former may have more emphasis placed on economics while the latter may have more to do with overall health and ability to be more active and being fulfilled.
Length of life alone may not mean quality, but our ability to remain generally healthy is a major part of what we consider “quality.”
Many individuals who enjoy quality in their lives have learned good relaxation techniques. Access to good healthcare providers can have a big impact as well. There are more effective medical treatments now for some long-term problems such as cancers. If there is a trick, it is to know how to find the support you need to be healthy and follow the best advice given. Don’t leave it to chance, because there is too much riding on it.
Good social and emotional well-being is as significant as anything else. We need to feel good with those with whom we come in contact. Strong family ties or a good group of friends often yield better health. What good is it to be a healthy hermit?
Think Young
Some men get into an old mindset. I have plenty of friends who walk with a cane and/or seem to limit themselves just because they see themselves that way. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Along with everything else, we need to think of ourselves as capable. How old do you feel? Many people feel younger than they are. Without visualizing a more youthful approach to life, it won’t happen. We all have to imagine it before it can happen.
The Bible book of Proverbs contains a well known verse that states “as a man thinketh, so is he.” Otherwise stated, you are what you think you are. Research has indicated that to be true. Imagine yourself younger, and do what it takes to age at your own pace. With that in mind, you’ll find me on a bicycle with long sideburns and hair long enough to stream in the wind as I ride.
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