Market scope note: This article covers information from both Korea and the United States. Each piece of information is labeled 🇰🇷 Korea or 🇺🇸 U.S. in the text to indicate which country it applies to.
When a parent says their back hurts or their knees ache, how does the family respond? It is not uncommon to brush it off with 'that's just part of getting old,' or to hand them a pain-relief patch and leave it at that. Yet chronic pain — defined as pain lasting three months or more — is not a simple feature of aging. It is a genuine health condition that has real effects on daily functioning and mental well-being. 🇺🇸 U.S. According to a 2023 survey by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), 24.3% of American adults experience chronic pain, and prevalence rises clearly with age: among adults 65 and older, more than 1 in 3 are affected. 🇰🇷 Korea As of 2023, musculoskeletal disorders accounted for 12.9% of all medical costs attributable to chronic conditions, making joint and muscle pain one of the central drivers of healthcare burden among older adults.
The reason chronic pain is especially challenging for older adults goes beyond the pain itself. 🇺🇸 U.S. A 2025 paper published by a research team at Harvard Medical School's Massachusetts General Hospital found that chronic pain in older adults is closely linked to depression, sleep disturbance, and cognitive decline, and that it is frequently undertreated even in clinical settings. When pain persists for a long time, older adults often resign themselves to thinking 'I suppose this is just how things are,' begin to avoid movement, lose muscle strength as a result, and then find that the weakened muscles make the pain worse — a vicious cycle. For families, understanding this pattern is the starting point for effective management.
🇰🇷 Korea The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) National Health Information Portal recommends that older adults engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week, while also emphasizing that even those who cannot meet that target should reduce the time they spend sitting and move as frequently as possible. In particular, the guidance encourages combining aerobic exercise, strength training, and balance exercise, as all three help relieve joint pain and prevent sarcopenia (age-related muscle loss). 🇰🇷 Korea Results from the 2024 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey showed sarcopenia prevalence rates of 9.5% in men and 9.3% in women aged 65 and older. Because reduced muscle mass places greater strain on joints and worsens pain, consistently practicing light strength exercises — such as gentle squats, standing while holding a chair, or elastic band exercises — is a cornerstone of self-managing chronic pain.
Just as important as exercise is keeping a pain log. Jotting down when pain occurs, where it is located, and how severe it is makes it possible to convey far more accurate information during medical appointments, and helps identify patterns in which activities reduce or worsen the pain. A note in a smartphone app or a single line in a notebook is enough. If a family caregiver can sit with the older adult and keep the log together, even better. When consulting a doctor, this record can significantly improve the quality of care received.
Medication management is another area that cannot be overlooked. Older adults frequently take pain relievers for extended periods, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in particular can place a burden on the stomach and kidneys, requiring caution with long-term use. 🇺🇸 U.S. The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) recommends that adults 65 and older avoid the long-term use of certain NSAIDs. For those taking multiple prescription medications, it is important to ask a primary care physician to verify any interactions between pain medications and existing drugs. 🇰🇷 Korea Physical therapy covered by health insurance — including heat therapy and electrical stimulation — can be accessed at relatively low cost at a neighborhood clinic or rehabilitation medicine department when prescribed by a physician, so rather than relying on medication alone, it is advisable to combine non-pharmacological treatments as well. 🇺🇸 U.S. Medicare Part B covers physical therapy when it is deemed medically necessary, so it is worth asking a primary care physician for a referral and confirming coverage in advance.
An emotional approach also plays an important role in pain management. Older adults who have lived with chronic pain for a long time may develop a heightened fear of pain itself and begin to avoid movement excessively. If the family's attitude is simply 'you must rest whenever it hurts,' the result can be that the older adult gradually reduces all activity and becomes increasingly isolated. Encouraging movement within a safe range even when pain is present, and joining the older adult for a gentle walk or stretching session they enjoy, can support both emotional well-being and pain relief.
Sources: NCHS Data Brief No. 518 (November 2024), CDC MMWR Chronic Pain Report (2023), Harvard Medical School Massachusetts General Hospital · Pain Management journal (May 2025), KDCA '2024 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey' results announcement (September 30, 2025), KDCA National Health Information Portal exercise guidelines for older adults, '2024 Chronic Disease Status and Issues' (KDCA), Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs 'Discharge Liaison Service for Musculoskeletal Disorder Patients' (2025).
Note: This article was compiled by AI from the sources cited above. We strive for accuracy, but for decisions about your specific situation, please confirm the latest guidance from a professional or the relevant agency.