New research from the US has indicated that chronic pain can lead to an increased risk of falls among older people.

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that people over the age of 70 with chronic musculoskeletal pain were more likely to experience a fall than other individuals.

Researchers in Boston interviewed 749 adults about their health, asking questions about pain and then recording any falls they had over the following 18 months.

According to the report, study participants who suffered chronic pain in two or more joints saw their risk of falling increase by approximately 50 per cent.

"Pain should be added to the list of risk factors for falls, as persons who have chronic pain in two or more joints - and those who have moderate to severe pain or disabling pain - are at significantly higher risk," commented lead author of the study Suzanne Leveille.

The research was carried out at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School.

Ultrasound machines can help to accelerate healing and ease aching joints for chronic pain sufferers.