The importance of physical therapy for seniors
One in four Americans who are currently over the age of 65 will live to be at least 90 years of age. Throughout the aging process, our bodies change. Loss of flexibility, strength, endurance and balance, as well as changes in posture, joint health and other chronic medical conditions all contribute to making daily tasks more difficult, sometimes impossible, as well as increase one’s risk of falling or injury.
Simple tasks such as getting up from a chair, walking, negotiating steps, dressing, bathing and preparing meals can become increasingly difficult. Participation in leisure activities and hobbies may no longer be possible or safe.
Physical therapy can help seniors improve functionality and allow for continued, safe meaningful independent living. Physical therapists are uniquely trained health care professionals who are the experts in the human movement system.
Some of the benefits of physical therapy for seniors include:
• Reducing risk of falls. Falls are the leading cause for injury in seniors including fractures or other lifethreatening injuries. Education, improving balance, flexibility and strength as well as gait training are all important components in fall risk reduction.
• Improving functional ability. Education on ways to complete activities of daily living in a more efficient and safe way, as well as exercises to improve strength, flexibility and balance are all incorporated into a physical therapy treatment program for seniors.
• Managing pain without surgery or drugs. Physical therapy has proven to be a cost-effective way treat pain through the use of education, exercise, manual therapy techniques and modalities such as cold and heat therapy, ultrasound and electrical stimulation.
• Treatment of chronic illness and disease. Physical therapy can help seniors who suffer from such conditions as arthritis, stroke, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis.
• Gait training. A physical therapist can determine whether a walking aide such as a cane or rolling walker is necessary to improve your gait or prevent falls, and they can instruct you on the proper usage.
• Improving posture. As we age, our posture changes due to degenerative changes in our spine, loss of flexibility/mobility and sedentary lifestyles. Physical therapy can improve posture by education on proper positioning when sitting and lying, strengthening weak muscles and improving mobility and flexibility in joints and muscles.
• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Exercise is a key element to good health, and as we age, it is essential to maintaining our day-to-day activities and being able to safely participate in recreational and leisure activities. Physical therapists are the experts in designing an appropriate exercise program for seniors.
We can help! Reduce pain and increase function. Call for a free phone consultation at (610) 327-2600. Email your questions to mishockpt@ comcast.net. Visit our website at mishockpt.com to read more physical therapy related articles, learn more about our treatment philosophy, our physical therapy staff and our six convenient locations in Gilbertsville, Skippack, Barto, Phoenixville, Limerick and Stowe (Pottstown).