Abstract
Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a highly prevalent disabling condition among older adults, and treatment remains a challenge. Limited research has qualitatively examined late-life CLBP and its management. Study objective was to examine how older adults experience pain management approaches for CLBP. Guided by van Manen’s phenomenological method, 21 pain clinic patients (66–83) completed semi-structured interviews. Under the main theme “Managing the incurable,” four subthemes emerged: (a) A quest for relief; (b) Spinal procedures offer temporary relief yet ongoing disappointment; (c) The apprehension of medication (d) Making things work for me. Social work practice implications are discussed.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 405-422 |
Number of pages | 18 |
Journal | Journal of Gerontological Social Work |
Volume | 64 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2021 |
Keywords
- Chronic pain
- older adults
- pain clinic
- phenomenology
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Social Sciences (miscellaneous)
- Nursing (miscellaneous)