Back pain – am I just old? ...advice from an Osteopath
How Osteopathy Supports Older Adults Living with Chronic Osteoarthritic Back Pain
By Bernitta Willoughby, Osteopath
As we grow older, it's easy to assume that aches, stiffness, and back pain are simply inevitable parts of ageing. Like a patient I saw earlier today started by saying “I don’t know whether you can help me, it might just be my age”. And it seems so many are told that’s their lot, live with it. But is that really true?
In short, and you can quote me: no, it’s not.
While ageing does naturally bring changes to the body, chronic pain doesn’t have to be your new normal. Particularly when it comes to osteoarthritic back pain, there is a lot that osteopathy can do to ease discomfort, improve movement, and help you live life more fully.
For example, this patient I saw today. 79 years old, golfer, bowler and a fantastic all round ‘get on with it’ sort of chap came in after a 4-year period since I last saw him with a muscular calf issue. Of which, he remembered being so pleased with that pain now gone, when his developing back pain started to affect his daily living – he thought of me.
I will just add, in the 14-years of Osteopathic practice, seeing patients’ years since their last visit for a new issue (or exacerbation of their last!) - catching up on what has happened in their lives in the time since their last treatment is truly unique. This particular patient had managed two total hip replacements and survived a large tumor in his bowl leading to extensive surgery removing the majority of his large bowel in order to eradicate the benign mass – quite the 4 years in terms of changes to his body.
With this case in mind lets explore how Osteopaths can help.
Understanding Osteoarthritis and Ageing
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a condition where the cartilage that cushions your joints wears down over time. It’s incredibly common, especially among older adults, and it often affects the spine.
When osteoarthritis impacts the joints in the back, it can lead to:
Stiffness, especially after periods of rest
Aching pain that worsens with activity or at the end of the day
Reduced mobility and flexibility
Muscle tension as the body tries to protect painful areas
While these symptoms are common, they are not something you have to simply endure.
In relation to the case example mentioned earlier, pain was felt across the lower spine with a dull ‘toothache’ type pain felt at the top of the buttocks – worse on the right side. Very little movement could be seen on active side bending, with posture beginning to flex forwards in a stooped position. The patient complained about getting up from low chairs and struggled to bend down without feeling like he was going to fall forwards – so would always hold onto furniture or a wall nearby when picking anything up... plus getting socks on himself was nigh on impossible.
Why “It’s Just Old Age” Isn’t the Full Story
It's true that spinal joints naturally change as we age. But pain—especially persistent, disabling pain—is often the result of more than just ageing.
Pain is influenced by many factors, including:
Muscle imbalances and tightness
Reduced circulation
Poor posture and movement patterns
Inflammation around irritated joints
Lack of movement leading to joint stiffness
Emotional stress, lifestyle factors and physical trauma (yes this absolutely can include surgery just like our case example)
Surgery can sometimes contribute to back pain later in life.
The good news?
Many of these factors can be positively influenced through treatment, movement, and care. This is where osteopathy comes in.
How Osteopathy Can Help Chronic Osteoarthritic Back Pain
As an osteopath, my focus is on helping bodies move better, function better, and feel better—without relying on heavy medication or simply "putting up with it."
Here’s how osteopathy can support older adults living with osteoarthritic back pain:
👐 Hands-On Treatment
Osteopathic techniques such as gentle mobilization, stretching, and soft tissue massage can help:
Improve joint mobility
Ease muscle tension
Reduce stiffness
Enhance circulation around affected areas
Osteopathy is a hands-on therapy that can be tailored to create better movement patterns, reduce pain signals, and allow the spine to function as well as possible.
🏃 Personalized Movement Plans
Movement is vital for spinal health—especially when arthritis is involved. I work with patients to develop safe, gentle exercise plans that focus on:
Strengthening supporting muscles
Improving flexibility
Encouraging better posture
Building confidence in movement
The goal is to keep you as active and independent as possible, while protecting your joints.
🪑 Postural and Lifestyle Advice
Everyday habits, like how you sit, sleep, or move, can significantly impact osteoarthritic pain. Osteopaths discuss practical advice tailored to your lifestyle to help reduce unnecessary strain on your back.
This may include:
Ergonomic adjustments to chairs or beds
Safe lifting and movement techniques
Advice on pacing activities to avoid flare-ups
Small changes often lead to big improvements.
🧠 Pain Education and Reassurance
Understanding pain—what it is and why it happens—can be incredibly empowering. Many older patients find that just understanding why they’re in pain and knowing what they can achieve without the fear of it all falling apart- that movement is safe, changes how they experience pain.
As part of osteopathic care, I find demystify why pain is there is key to replacing fear with confidence.
Osteopathy: A Holistic Approach to Managing Chronic Pain
Osteopathy doesn't just look at the painful joint in isolation. We take a whole-body approach, considering how all the parts of your body interact and influence one another.
For example, if osteoarthritis is causing you to walk differently to avoid pain, that compensation can lead to new issues in your hips, knees, or even shoulders. Osteopathic treatment aims to address the chain reaction and support your body as a whole.
Osteopathy is a therapy with a holistic approach.
What to Expect During Osteopathic Treatment for Osteoarthritic Back Pain
Your journey starts with a thorough assessment, where we’ll discuss:
Your symptoms
Your medical history including any medications you currently take
How pain is affecting your day-to-day life
We then, with your permission, go through an examination which often include:
Adjusting some clothing items to reveal the area in pain (i.e. lifting up or removing your shirt, some patients just wear a vest underneath to roll up)
Taking the spine through natural movements actively (you) and passively (us)
Palpating the area to find pain specific tissue points
From there, we create a bespoke treatment plan that might include:
Gentle hands-on techniques
Advice on home exercises
Guidance on posture and ergonomics
Supportive strategies to help manage pain between sessions
The number of sessions needed varies depending on each individual, but many people notice improvements in pain levels, mobility, and confidence within just a few treatments. After the first session and seeing what change has been achieved, I find it easier to advise on how many sessions patients will need in total or whether a more spread-out maintenance plan will be needed to ensure pain is controlled day to day- this depends on reaction to treatment, lifestyle factors and the diagnosis.
Movement Really Is Medicine
It can feel counterintuitive when you're in pain, but staying active is one of the best things you can do for osteoarthritis.
Movement helps and inactivity, by contrast, often leads to further stiffness, weakness, and pain—a vicious cycle that osteopathy can help you break.
Walking regularly can be of great benefit for chronic back pain.
Real Life: Success Stories
Many older patients I work with come in believing their pain is “just old age” and nothing can change. Yet with a little hands-on help, guidance, and encouragement, they experience:
✅ Less daily pain
✅ Better movement
✅ Renewed independence
✅ Improved quality of life
It’s truly rewarding to see someone who thought they were “too old to improve” find new comfort and vitality.
Final Thoughts: You Deserve to Feel Better
Ageing is natural. Pain is common. But chronic, life-limiting pain isn’t something you have to accept without question.
Osteopathy offers a gentle, effective way to manage chronic osteoarthritic back pain, helping you move more freely, feel stronger, and enjoy life with less discomfort.
If you're living with back pain and have been told "it’s just old age," please know there is help available, and there is hope.
Ready to Take the First Step?
If you or a loved one are struggling with osteoarthritic back pain, let’s work together to find a path towards better movement and a more comfortable life.
📞 Speak to us today on 01487 209 084 to book a consultation or find out more about how osteopathy can help.
We also have online booking: https://thewatersidepractice.janeapp.co.uk/