We all experience aches and pains from time to time, but if you think you're feeling them more often as you age, there's a reason for that.

It's not just standing up more slowly or having to wear a heating pad - muscle and joint injuries are more common as we age, and the reason we injure ourselves might surprise you.

Dr. James Heltsley, MD, orthopaedic surgeon with WKONA/Graves Gilbert Clinic, says, "There can be acute be injuries just like, you know, the younger athletes, you know, if some I see a lot of patients that play pickleball now and they have an event and obviously at that point we get X-rays, MRI or whatever diagnostic imaging we need."

Heltsley explains as our joints age, injuries can happen more easily, seemingly without reason, so as you get older, you can have injuries that take less force.

Heltsley says, "You know, it could be a simple fall twisting of the knee and you could tear your meniscus. There's also osteoarthritis that we see very commonly in the knee that hit the shoulder. And that's something that, you know, we do joint replacements on that have a very high success rate as far as injuries of the shoulder in the in older individuals or patients, we looked at the rotator cuff is the most common injury to the shoulders in that age."

While some injuries can't be prevented, there are some things you can do to protect yourself.

Heltsley recommends eating a balanced diet, including fruits and vegetables, and to exercise, but don't overdo it.

Also, be sure to stretch as part of your warm up routine before exercising.

In addition, it's important to see your doctor to discuss the right treatment for the source of your pain since some problems require the help of a specialist.