(BPT) – A sore back. That stiff joint. Another headache. With so much time being spent at home, you’re probably noticing more of your daily aches and pains. Many people tend to envision pain only impacting older people, and while everyone’s pain is unique, you might be surprised to learn that pain impacts younger generations just as much as older people.
Snapshot of pain across America
The vast majority (95%) of U.S. adults ages 25 to 65 report feeling “everyday” aches and pains, according to a survey conducted by Advil Dual Action, in partnership with Wakefield Research. Nearly three-quarters (72%) experience these pains once a week or more.
What’s interesting is that younger people report experiencing just as much pain as older generations. In fact, Advil found that one-third (34%) of young adults report experiencing pain every day, nearly equal to that of Gen Xers (36%) and Boomers (35%).
Acute pain and younger generations
With younger people trying to find new ways to keep active while staying at home more often, awareness of acute pain may be heightened. This unprecedented year has left many exercising in less-than-ideal conditions, and makeshift home gym setups could lead to bothersome aches and pains, leaving many desperate for relief.
What is acute pain exactly? Acute pain can happen anywhere in the body and feel like a number of sensations, including aching, nagging, burning, stabbing and nauseating. The impact of acute pain goes beyond the physical. Advil’s research shows that younger people are giving up the things they love due to pain, such as sports, hobbies and even work.
If you are experiencing acute pain, consider a proactive approach you can manage at home to help find relief. Here are three simple things to try:
1. Explore new innovations in OTC medicine
When experiencing aches and pains, many Americans turn to two of the most common pain-fighting ingredients: ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Ibuprofen works throughout the body, targeting pain at the source, while acetaminophen blocks pain signals to the brain. While previously, people would have to choose between the two ingredients, Advil now offers a combination that combats pain in a truly unique way. Advil Dual Action is the first and only FDA-approved combination of ibuprofen and acetaminophen and the biggest innovation in the U.S. over-the-counter oral pain relief category in 25 years. It offers the benefits of both ingredients at once to provide up to eight hours of multi-symptom pain relief. Plus, it contains lower total daily doses of medication than ibuprofen or acetaminophen taken individually. Advil Dual Action is available over-the-counter (OTC) nationwide.
2. Try hot and cold therapy
Another method for relieving aches and pains is hot and cold therapy. Applying heat to painful joints or muscles can help soothe aches and soreness by increasing blood flow. For example, for stiffness or tension, use a heating pad for 15 minutes on the affected area. Alternatively, a cold compress can slow blood flow, helping to reduce swelling and pain. This is often used as a temporary treatment for pain associated with an injury, such as an ankle sprain. For example, cold therapy can be used on a sore joint by applying a cool gel pack for 10-minute increments at a time, helping you feel better while the body heals.
3. Prioritize stretching and exercise
Many people who experience pain find that they are less likely to engage in physical exercise, for fear that it will exacerbate their pain. To compound the negative, the global pandemic has made it more difficult to get out and exercise. Routines have changed and reduction in movement can lead to additional acute pain. That’s why it’s important to find ways to incorporate movement into your daily routine. This can be as simple as doing gentle stretches each day for 10 minutes when you wake up or taking a walk around the neighborhood at lunch. Movement can help increase blood flow, reduce stiffness and strengthen the body, which can support short and long-term relief.
While acute pain may be common among younger people, it doesn’t have to be a fact of life. These simple steps can help anyone feel better and live life fully.