More Seniors Are Skipping Surgery and Choosing Smarter Pain Relief

As we get older, the idea of undergoing surgery often feels more daunting than it once did—and for good reason. The risks tied to anesthesia, extended recovery times, and potential complications aren’t just hypothetical; they’re very real concerns for aging adults.

That’s why an increasing number of older adults are saying “no thanks” to the operating room and “yes” to less invasive, more strategic pain relief solutions.

From stiff knees that make walking painful to lower back issues that disrupt sleep, chronic pain affects nearly half of adults over 65, according to the CDC. But today’s options for managing that pain go far beyond the scalpel.

One reason there are more options now is more specialists are available to deal with pain issues. There are clinics nationwide, like those in New Jersey, like Core Medical & Wellness, that are offering a middle ground between traditional care and advanced pain relief.

Instead of jumping straight to surgery, these medical providers help patients try gentler, focused treatments that promote healing with little to no recovery time.

More older adults are turning to regenerative medicine, therapeutic injections, and customized rehabilitation to relieve symptoms and get moving again—without the hospital stay.

Physiatry, also called Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), is a type of medicine that helps people improve movement and function after an injury, illness, or disability.

“Providers who are trained in various types of injections and non‑surgical procedures are key factors that make interventional physiatry a strong option for patients seeking pain management care,” said Leanna Krukowski, MSN, RN, Administrative Director of Neuroscience Services at Trinity Health West Michigan.

What is Non-Surgical Pain Management?

Non-surgical pain relief means treating pain without incisions, general anesthesia, or long recoveries. Instead, it focuses on calming inflammation, strengthening the body, and retraining movement patterns. These therapies often combine modern science with holistic healing to provide safer, targeted relief.

“Pain should not be seen as a natural consequence of getting older. It’s one of the things that prevents people from addressing a good and high quality of life for our older adults.” — Yvette Colón, PhD, Presenter at Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day (Eastern Michigan University), speaking on older adults and chronic pain.

Common non-surgical pain treatments include:

• Joint injections (e.g., corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid)
• Trigger point injections for muscle tightness
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy to encourage tissue healing
• Physical therapy focused on realignment and strength
• Manual therapies, including chiropractic care
• Medical acupuncture and nerve stimulation techniques

These tools can be mixed and matched depending on the source of pain—joint, muscle, or nerve—making treatment both flexible and personal.

Why Surgery Might Not Be the Best Option for Seniors

Surgery has its place, but for many older adults, the risks often outweigh the rewards. Age-related factors like slower healing, comorbidities such as heart disease or diabetes, and the need for blood thinners make surgery a higher-risk choice.

“I hear from people who just want to attend their grandkid’s soccer game… and yet pain has taken that from them.” — Nicole Hemmenway, CEO of the U.S. Pain Foundation

Even when successful, surgeries for common issues like arthritis or spinal pain don’t always outperform physical therapy or regenerative medicine. According to a study in the Annals of Internal Medicine, physical therapy outcomes for spinal stenosis were comparable to surgery—without the recovery burden.

Non-surgical approaches can also delay the need for invasive procedures. In many cases, that delay becomes indefinite.

Best Practices and Innovations

Regenerative Medicine: Healing from Within

Among the most promising non-surgical approaches is regenerative medicine, especially PRP therapy. This treatment uses your own platelets—rich in growth factors—to stimulate tissue repair. It’s used for:

• Arthritic joints
• Rotator cuff injuries
• Tendonitis
• Chronic back or neck pain

Because PRP is derived from your own blood, it carries minimal risk of rejection or side effects. Unlike cortisone, which masks inflammation, PRP seeks to heal the source of the problem. Experts say that if pain persists after conservative treatments, injections can be a helpful next step.

Injections That Make a Big Difference

Injections are a cornerstone of modern pain management, especially for seniors dealing with arthritis or joint damage. Options include:

• Corticosteroids for fast inflammation relief
• Hyaluronic acid to lubricate joints and ease stiffness
• Genicular nerve blocks to interrupt knee pain signals

These treatments are often done in under 30 minutes and don’t require downtime. Combined with physical therapy, they can delay—or even eliminate—the need for joint replacement.

Physical Therapy: A Strategic Approach

Today’s physical therapy is a personalized plan, not a one-size-fits-all routine. Especially for older adults, therapists focus on improving mobility, balance, and posture.

• Gait training to improve walking mechanics: Therapists assess how you walk and tailor exercises to correct imbalances, reduce fall risk, and improve confidence with each step.
• Core stabilization to support the spine: Strengthening your core muscles helps protect your back, improve posture, and reduce the chance of injury during daily activities.
• Mobility drills to enhance flexibility and reduce pain: Targeted stretches and gentle movements help loosen stiff joints, making it easier to move with less discomfort.

Each of these strategies is adjusted based on your abilities and goals, helping you stay independent and active longer. These strategies don’t help everyone, but gait training, core stabilization, and mobility drills—support many older adults by improving movement, reducing pain, and promoting independence.

The goal is to retrain the body to move in ways that protect joints and reduce discomfort—without medication or surgery. Living with pain can change your lifestyle and quality of life, but physical therapy can be one of several ways to reduce the pain and improve your quality of life.

“It takes you to a place of confusion, isolation, and loneliness… Unrelenting pain reduces your ability to concentrate, socialize, sleep, work. It robs you of your peace and your joy.” — Linda Shaw, chronic pain survivor and Group Lead, U.S. Pain Foundation BIPOC Community Support Group

Non-Surgical Care in Long-Term Care and In-Home Settings

These pain management techniques are also increasingly used in long-term care settings and by in-home caregivers. Many assisted living facilities and home health agencies now employ physical therapists or contract with providers who specialize in:

• Fall prevention through balance and strength training
• Pain management via injections or electrical stimulation
• Supportive therapies to keep residents or clients mobile and independent

This integration means that non-surgical options aren’t just for outpatient clinics. They’re actively supporting seniors who need help with daily activities—and improving their quality of life in the process.

Always ask about pain management and physical therapy when looking for extended care for a loved one. Use the LTC News Caregiver Directory to find provider options where you or a loved one lives.

The Long-Term Care Connection

Chronic pain, limited mobility, and falls are among the leading reasons older adults require long-term care. A decline in physical function often marks the transition from living independently to needing daily support.

If left untreated or managed poorly, conditions like osteoarthritis, back pain, or post-surgical complications can increase dependence on caregivers, many of whom end up becoming family members. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, nearly 56% of people over age 65 will need some form of long-term care service.

That’s why early intervention with non-surgical treatments matters. When pain is managed and mobility preserved, older adults are more likely to remain independent—or at least semi-independent- and delay or reduce the extended care they need.

For those with Long-Term Care Insurance, accessing outpatient pain relief can help them remain at home with in-home care providers as opposed to more expensive facility care. Even within assisted living, the quality of life can be substantially better when pain is managed correctly.

Safer Pain Relief for Medically Complex Seniors

Many older adults who live with heart disease, diabetes, or COPD are on medications that complicate surgery and recovery. For these individuals, non-surgical care offers a safer route. These approaches also reduce the need for opioids, lowering the risk of side effects and dependency.

Pairing pain management with wellness strategies like nutrition, mobility work, and stress reduction can further decrease reliance on medication—and improve overall well-being.

What to Ask Your Doctor

When discussing your pain relief options, ask these questions:

• “What’s the least invasive treatment that could help?”
• “Can I try injections or regenerative therapy before considering surgery?”
• “Are non-surgical methods realistic for my age and condition?”
• “How would you incorporate physical therapy or home care into my plan?”

A good provider will explore a range of treatments and tailor them to your health status and lifestyle—not just default to surgery.

Living with Less Pain and More Freedom

Getting older doesn’t have to mean living with chronic pain—or rushing into surgery. Today’s pain management tools are more advanced, personalized, and accessible than ever. From injections to regenerative medicine and at-home therapy, the options are out there.

If you or a loved one is dealing with chronic pain, talk to a specialist about non-surgical options. You may discover that the best path forward is also the gentlest—and the one that keeps you living fully on your own terms.