21/06/2026
Seniors Carry Australia's Heaviest Back Pain Burden
New findings from the 2026 Australian Spinal Health Survey reveal that seniors are carrying Australia's heaviest back pain burden, with the highest rates of chronic pain of any age group. For many older Australians, back pain is not a temporary complaint – it's a persistent condition that can affect mobility, independence, sleep, social participation and overall wellbeing.
📊 The Statistics
The 2026 Australian Spinal Health Survey conducted by PureProfile found:
87.3% of Australians aged 61+ have experienced back pain during their lifetime.
83.3% experienced back pain in the past 12 months.
48.3% live with chronic back pain lasting three months or more – the highest rate of any age group surveyed.
42.5% report reduced physical mobility due to back pain.
Only 16.5% report their back pain has fully resolved – the lowest resolution rate of any age group.
🚶♂️ More Than Just Physical Pain
Reduced mobility and disrupted sleep can have far-reaching consequences for older Australians. When back pain limits movement, it can contribute to loss of independence, reduced social participation, isolation and declining mental wellbeing.
The survey also found that almost one-third of seniors reported a moderate-to-extreme mental health impact associated with their back pain, highlighting the important connection between spinal health and healthy ageing.
💡 Supporting Healthy Ageing
Back pain should not be dismissed as an inevitable part of getting older.
Maintaining mobility, staying active and seeking appropriate healthcare can play an important role in supporting healthy ageing, preserving independence and improving quality of life.
Evidence-based chiropractic healthcare provides a drug-free, non-invasive approach to helping manage back pain, maintain function and support overall wellbeing as Australians age.
Spinal health is essential to staying active, independent and feeli...
