Back pain more likely to affect older people with money problems, research finds

Older people who have money problems are more likely to suffer long-term debilitating back pain, a study has found.

Researchers discovered those who report being worried about finances are twice as likely to have long-lasting pain compared to those with a higher income.

The study, published in the journal BMC, assessed more than 5,000 over-65s in England.

All suffered from back pain when the study started, but it found that, two years later, those who had the greatest financial burden were more likely to still be reporting severe pain.

Experts suggest that people with less money are less likely to seek medical treatment or take part in regular exercise – an effective means of combating back pain.

Overall they found that nearly four out of five participants were still experiencing pain at the end of the study, regardless of their financial position. 

Of those, a third said the pain was ‘moderately troublesome.’ More than one in ten said they experienced back pain that meant they struggled with day-to-day tasks.

The researchers, from the University of Oxford and University of Exeter, also found those who had a negative attitude towards exercise later in life were more likely to experience persistent back pain.

It has been estimated that nine million people in the UK live with back pain (file photo)

It has been estimated that nine million people in the UK live with back pain, and 30 per cent of older adults experience some form of chronic pain.

‘People put up with back pain because they think it is just a symptom of getting old, but that shouldn’t be the case,’ says

Dr Esther Williamson, an expert in back pain at the University of Oxford who was part of the research team.

‘We know that people from lower socio-economic backgrounds with back pain face a greater burden and are less likely to access treatment. They are also less likely to be able to access exercise classes which help manage the pain.

‘The key going forward is making treatments accessible to people.’