How Physical Therapists and Healthy Aging Go Together

How Physical Therapists and Healthy Aging Go Together Dr. Jenson Mak

There are many ways to ensure healthy aging over the years, such as eating healthy and getting enough rest. One of the best things you can do for yourself as you get older is see a physical therapist. Physical therapists are of high value when it comes to supporting older adults throughout the country. Many people believe that physical therapy is meant for people who get injured, such as athletes, as a way of helping them recover to 100%.

In reality, physical therapists work diligently to help keep the older adult community safe and allow them to live independently by making sure integral muscle groups operate properly.

Physical therapists have a primary focus on movement and exercise, and by using the knowledge and skills they’ve gained they can help older adults prevent common injuries that tend to happen as they get older. On top of this, physical therapists are able to assist in preventing functional decline as well as disability in older adults. Older adults may choose to join fitness and nutrition programs that can improve things such as musculoskeletal health, heart health and much more such as losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight.

It’s even possible to get specialized geriatric rehabilitation from physical therapists, if you so wish. These programs aim to improve your body’s overall function by addressing specific issues such as osteoporosis, joint pain, falls prevention and much more.

They’re typically meant for seniors over the age of 65 and are totally safe ways of working on your muscle control. To give you an idea, a program for osteoporosis might focus on back pain management, weight-bearing exercises, ADL retraining, and patient education among other things. Many programs exist for specific issues as well such as arthritis rehabilitation or oncology rehabilitation, as these conditions make it difficult to age in a healthy manner.

The importance of seeing a physical therapist as you get older simply can’t be understated. Issues with your body can emerge out of the blue as you get older, so it’s important to prepare yourself and do what you can to prevent them before they get worse, allowing you to stay as healthy and as independent as possible.

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