Despite our best efforts, the natural aging process will take a toll on us all. Age-related degeneration and acute injuries affect people in different ways, but that doesn’t mean you need to accept these new challenges or limitations. Oftentimes one of the best ways to counter some of the effects of aging is by working with a physical therapist. In today’s blog, we explore all the ways that older adults can benefit by connecting with a physical therapist to address some age-related issues.
The Benefits Of PT For Older Adults
Physical therapists adapt programs to the individual and the unique challenges they are facing in order to address a large variety of issues. Some of the common programs we develop for older adults based on the issues they are facing include:
- Balance Training And Fall Prevention – Falls send tens of thousands of older adults to the emergency room every year, leading to more than a billion dollars in healthcare expenditures. If muscle weakness or gait limitations are making it harder for you to maintain your balance, we’ll develop a strength training program that will improve your overall balance and coordination. This not only reduces your fall risk, but it also helps the individual maintain confidence in their ability to remain independent.
- Dizziness/Vertigo – Changes within the inner ear can lead to feelings of vertigo or dizziness. While this can also contribute to balance issues, the physical therapist will be targeting different areas of your body in order to effectively treat the condition. This is known as vestibular physical therapy.
- Neurological Disorders – An unfortunate side effect of aging for some people is how the process affects neurological function. Some older patients may develop mental and physical issues associated with conditions like Parkinson’s disease or Alzheimer’s. We can work to improve or maintain vital connections between the neurological and musculoskeletal systems to help you maintain independence and physical function.
- Arthritic Degeneration – Aging also tends to have an impact on our joint health. If certain movements have become painful as a result of joint deterioration, or you are working to recover in the wake of a joint replacement procedure, targeted physical therapy exercises can help strengthen supportive soft tissues and maintain flexibility in an area.
- Osteoporosis – Another common issue for older adults is osteopenia or osteoporosis. As we get older, the body can’t produce new bone as easily to replace old bone cells, leading to a thinning of our bones. This can leave a person more susceptible to fractures. Physical therapy exercises have been shown to improve bone health and slow down natural bone loss.
- Incontinence – Aging and age-related health conditions can impact our ability to hold and release our bladder and our bowels as intended. Pelvic floor physical therapy exercises can target and reverse issues that are causing incontinence.
- Cancer – Finally, cancer is also a harsh reality for some older adults, but physical therapy can be incredibly helpful at ensuring you maintain function and independence as you are treating the cancer. Cancer treatment can lead to excessive fluid retention and general weakness, so it’s important to control swelling and muscle weakness with the help of targeted physical therapy exercises.
If you’re facing any of these issues, know that a physical therapist can help keep you active and independent. Let our team of physical therapists develop a care routine suited to your specific needs. For more information, or to set up your first appointment, reach out to the team at OrthoRehab Specialists today at (612) 339-2041.
PT of Costa Rican National Soccer Team for 2007 World Cup in Victoria, CAN. Clinical Instructor for University of Minnesota Doctor of Physical Therapy Affiliations
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