Muscle strain in the elderly, due to housework or underlying disease?

(Dan Tri) - For the elderly, neck and shoulder muscle strain often occurs due to daily activities, such as carrying heavy objects, bending for a long time, suddenly turning the neck..., which can cause prolonged pain and requires a specialist examination for proper treatment.

Reader Nguyen Ha An sent a question to the Neurosurgery - Spine section, with the content: "My mother is 72 years old, a housewife, and was diagnosed by a local doctor with muscle strain in the neck and shoulders due to overexertion. I don't understand what muscle strain is and why my mother has it? What method can help cure it completely?"

Answering readers' questions, Master, Doctor Vu Dai Viet, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital, said that muscle strain is a condition in which muscles or tendons (connective tissue between muscles and bones) are overstretched or slightly torn due to vigorous, repetitive movements, or incorrect posture. In the elderly, muscle strain in the neck and shoulders often occurs due to daily activities, such as carrying heavy objects, bending for a long time, or suddenly turning the neck. Symptoms include dull pain, muscle stiffness, limited movement, and sometimes mild swelling in the affected area.

“At age 72, muscles and tendons have lost elasticity and are more vulnerable to injury when performing repetitive tasks such as cleaning the house, doing laundry, or carrying grandchildren. Neck and shoulder strains can cause long-term pain and affect daily activities if not treated properly,” said Dr. Viet.

According to Vietnamese doctors, if neck and shoulder pain lasts more than 5-7 days despite rest, you should see an Orthopedic specialist.

Why are elderly housewives prone to muscle strain?

Even though they are housewives, the elderly are still at risk of muscle strain due to the following factors:

Repetitive work: Activities such as mopping floors, hand washing clothes, lifting heavy objects, or holding children require constant use of the neck and shoulder muscles, which can easily lead to overload.

Poor posture: Bending your head for long periods of time while cooking, cleaning, or turning your neck suddenly can cause overstretching of the muscles.

Age-related muscle weakness: Muscles and tendons become less flexible, blood flow decreases, slowing the ability to recover from injury.

Underlying medical conditions: Degenerative cervical spine disease, arthritis, or osteoporosis can increase the risk of muscle strain and make pain worse.

Lack of proper exercise: Housewives often do little muscle strengthening exercises, leading to weak muscles that are easily injured when doing heavy work.

Distinguishing muscle strain from sprain, herniated disc

Muscle strain: A muscle or tendon is stretched, causing pain and stiffness, but no obvious swelling or bruising. The pain usually improves after a few days of rest.

Sprain: A stretched or torn ligament, often from a twist or impact, causing swelling, bruising, and difficulty moving.

Cervical disc herniation: Causes pain radiating down the shoulder and arm, accompanied by numbness or weakness, due to the disc compressing the nerve.

When to see a specialist?

Signs to watch for: Dull or throbbing pain that increases when turning the neck, lifting the shoulder, or doing housework; muscle stiffness, difficulty turning the neck or raising the arm; mild swelling, heat, or bruising in the neck/shoulder; numbness, weakness, or pain radiating down the arm or hand.

Accompanying family members need to provide information to the doctor, including: Specific symptoms (when and how severe the pain is); daily tasks (cleaning the house, doing laundry, holding children); medical history (osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, diabetes).

Based on an in-depth assessment, the doctor will prescribe appropriate paraclinical tests to accurately determine the condition, thereby proposing the optimal treatment plan, from conservative treatment to surgical intervention (if necessary).

Clinical examination helps doctors determine the exact cause of muscle strain (Photo: BVCC).

How to care for and prevent muscle strain in the elderly

Get adequate rest: Avoid heavy lifting, such as cleaning the house, hand washing clothes, or carrying children, for 5-7 days. Encourage gentle movement to avoid muscle stiffness.

Cold/Hot Compress: Apply cold compresses for 15-20 minutes, 2-3 times/day for the first 48-72 hours to relieve pain. After that, apply hot compresses to increase blood circulation and reduce muscle stiffness.

Prescription medication: Use pain relievers or anti-inflammatory drugs in the correct dose as directed by your doctor, avoid drugs containing corticosteroids.

Compression bandage or splint: Use an elastic bandage or shoulder/neck brace to support and reduce pressure on muscles while doing housework.

Physical therapy: Participate in exercises to strengthen neck and shoulder muscles and improve flexibility, under the guidance of a specialist.

Adjust your working posture: Avoid bending over for long periods or turning your neck suddenly when cleaning or cooking. Use a low chair when working to reduce pressure on your neck and shoulders.

Nutritional support: Supplement foods rich in calcium (milk, salmon), vitamin D (morning sunbathing), protein (lean meat, beans) to strengthen musculoskeletal health.

Light exercise: Do yoga, slow walking, or stretching exercises to increase strength and flexibility.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/cang-co-o-nguoi-cao-tuoi-do-noi-tro-hay-benh-ly-tiem-an-20251010145913895.htm