Seniors hit hard by back pain
Research shows that many of us live with persistent pain that affects mobility, sleep, and independence.
New survey data shows seniors experience the highest rates of chronic back pain and suffer its most severe impacts.
The 2026 Australian Spinal Health Survey of 1,040 adults found that 87.3% of Australians aged 61 and over have experienced back pain in their lifetime, and 83.3% reported pain in the past year.
Nearly half (48.3%) of older sufferers report chronic pain lasting more than three months, which is the highest rate of any age group. Among those aged 81 and over, chronic pain rises to 56.8%.
Australian Chiropractors Association (ACA) president, Dr Billy Chow, said the findings confirm that back pain in later life is rarely temporary.
Only 16.5% of seniors with low back pain said their condition had fully resolved. Instead, many live with persistent pain that affects mobility, sleep, and independence.
Reduced mobility is a defining issue. More than two in five seniors (42.5%) report being less mobile due to back pain, compared with 25.3% across all sufferers. Sleep disruption is also more common, affecting 29.5% of older respondents.
According to Dr Chow, these factors combine to accelerate functional decline, increase isolation, and limit social participation for seniors.
Mental health impacts are closely linked. While overall rates of anxiety and depression are lower than in younger groups, 30.3% of seniors report a moderate-to-extreme mental health impact from back pain.
Among those aged 61–70, 17.3% report depression or anxiety as a direct result. This rises to 18.6% among women.
The survey also points to heavy reliance on medication, with seniors reporting the highest daily use of both over-the-counter (15.7%) and prescription (14.7%) pain relief.
At the same time, older Australians are the most frequent users of chiropractic care, with 49.8% having consulted a chiropractor. Of those, 77.3% reported improvement, including 39.2% who said their pain significantly improved or resolved.
Fear of movement is another major barrier. More than half of ACA chiropractors report that most of their older patients restrict activity due to fear of pain or injury. This “fear avoidance” can worsen deconditioning and reinforce pain cycles.
Research supports the need for integrated care. Studies by CQUniversity and Macquarie University’s MindSpot program show that combining physical treatment with psychological support can improve both physical and mental outcomes.
Further research led by Associate Professor Katie de Luca found chronic low back pain in older adults is linked to frailty, falls, poor sleep, reduced quality of life, and declines in cognitive function.
Encouragingly, her study found that tailored exercise programs can improve strength, reduce frailty, and decrease depression and anxiety in older adults with back pain.
Dr Chow said these findings reinforce that back pain should not be accepted as a normal part of ageing. Maintaining movement, addressing fear avoidance, and accessing evidence-based care can improve function, independence, and overall wellbeing.
Related reading: ACA
Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Consult a registered healthcare professional about any health concerns or before making any changes to your medication, diet, or exercise routine.
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