BISMARCK, ND ( KXNET ) — When one thinks of joint pain, they tend to associate it with older individuals. As a new study suggests, though, this is hardly reserved for them anymore: joint pain has led members of almost every generation to believe that they are aging prematurely, and unfortunately, deal with the physical, social, and emotional issues that go along with it.

Motive Health commissioned a survey from Talker Research regarding joint pain in the United States as part of a deeper look into this phenomenon. After 2,000 adults 28 and older were polled. Here, it was discovered the vast majority of survey respondents (85%) experience some sort of joint pain, but half of them do not realize there is a correlation between it and reduced muscle strength. Below is a list of other major statistics gathered by the study concerning joint pain, as well as how it affects the daily lives of Americans.

• 47% of respondents reported that they do not feel their age. 55% of those who feel this way blame joint pain, and 45% of this group say that it holds them back from their daily lives. Those who suffer from these feelings say this manifests through body pain (55%), easily becoming tired (48%), and feeling less active in general (31%).
• Half of all surveyed baby boomers, 54% of the Silent Generation, and 45% of Gen Xers were all noted to feel ‘out of sync’ with their actual age — feeling 14, 12, and 10 years older respectively.
• Another 47% of survey respondents said they would not tell others when they’re experiencing joint pain. When asked why, the polled Americans said they were worried that others would think they were too old or frail to participate in activities (19%), overreacting to things (18%), or making things about themselves (18%). This is so important to many that 71% will purposefully ignore joint pain so that they can continue their typical activities.

Of all types of joint pain, knee pain is the most common. 40% of survey respondents confessed to facing the condition. To make matters worse, many of those who experience it have been forced to make major changes to their lifestyle to deal with the problem, including where they live (25%), where they work (22%), and how they get around (17%). From every surveyed group, 98% of all individuals also noted that they would feel far more confident in the future without it.

“Until they experience it, many people don’t realize the total impact joint pain can have on their lives,” says Motive Health President and CEO Rob Morocco. “Losing your mobility and independence to joint pain can be frustrating and, without a doubt, make many people feel older than they are. The good news is, there’s technology that can reduce pain now and prevent it into the future, helping many people get back to feeling and living their best.”

Luckily for those who may still be dealing with joint problems, there are many ways to help remove or otherwise alleviate it, and patients are often prepared to make changes to their lives to do so. 54% of all survey respondents stated they would be willing to change their diet and exercise if it meant combatting their pain, another 52% had a desire to try physical therapy and at-home exercises, and six out of every ten expressed an interest in relief technology.

“While joint pain can make people feel like their life is on pause, the great news is that there are ways to get moving again,” adds Morocco. “For example, research has found that building muscle strength is central to resolving joint pain. With that knowledge in hand, there are now solutions for people with joint pain that will help rebuild that muscle strength and get them back to living full, active lives.”

To learn more about joint pain, treatments, and how to continue living a happy and healthy life despite it, visit the Cleveland Clinic’s website here .

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