It is a common joke that as people age, they start to have more aches and pains. While the body does begin to wear down, and some aching is normal, you need to be vigilant to watch for pain that is a signal of something more serious.
Repetitive stress injuries usually manifest as pain, but all too often, people ignore the pain as something normal. It is a good idea to learn how to recognize when what you feel is more than just a natural part of aging and requires medical intervention.
Extreme pain
While aches happen as you age, they should never be extreme. If you feel extreme pain that you cannot control with rest or over-the-counter pain relievers, then there is likely something more serious happening. Extreme pain is often an indicator that you have a repetitive stress injury.
Worsening swelling or odd coloring
Swelling indicates there is something more than a simple ache. If you notice swelling and it is getting worse, you should assume you have some type of injury. The same is true with discoloration. A bruise should get better fairly quickly, but if you notice discoloration increasing, you need to see a doctor.
Inability to move
If the area giving you trouble begins to make it hard for you to move, it is more than just a simple ache. You should be able to carry on with your daily activities if you just have a simple aging pain. Something more serious, such as a repetitive stress injury, will interfere with your life to the point where you can no longer do certain things.
The best remedy for repetitive stress injuries is rest. If you do not seek treatment, you will likely continue to aggravate the issue and not get the rest needed to ease your pain.