Not so Golden after All: The Complexities of Chronic Low Back Pain in Older Adulthood

Abstract

Background and Objectives The study objective was to understand how Chronic low back pain (CLBP) impacts key aging concepts such as retirement, housing, health, and independence. Research Design and Methods Twenty-one pain clinic patients (66-83 years old) with CLBP engaged in 23 in-depth semistructured interviews, which were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Guided by van Manen's phenomenological method, researchers used line-by-line thematic coding to analyze data through an iterative process. Results Participants' accounts illustrate the interplay between aging and living with CLBP. Under the larger theme "Not so golden after all," results are reflected in five subthemes: (a) Falling apart; (b) Pain stigmatizes aging; (c) Hurting slowly, aging quickly; (d) Pain threatens independence; (e) The reality of unrealized futures. Discussion and Implications This study improves our understanding of how CLBP complicates growing older with regard to tarnished retirements and stigmatization. Findings highlight the importance of coordinated care and recognition of pain-related loss.