I am turning 60 and retiring in June.
Have been working in the trade since 1976 and other then a 5 year stint when I tried management, have been on the tools the whole time.
I'm 5'9" and built like a brick $hit house. I used to tend to be a human crane. Just pick it up and put it on.
NOT ANYMORE!
I have done some damage, I have a herniated disc in my back. I have arthritis in my hands, shoulders, knees and back. I can hurt pretty good some nights.
As Bluox says, ibuprofen is our friend.
I was doing a project with a bunch of old millwrights one time. We were laughing away about the job and how many asprin it would take to be able to get to sleep that night. I thought that I was the only one.
Is it a one, two or three pill night LOL
There are some really good replies up above, good advice. Listen to what they say.
Golden years my a$$
If you look after yourself now, you will have a better old age.