Discover the Benefits of Physical Therapy for Seniors
There is a significant decline in the balance, strength, and flexibility of individuals as they age.
There is a significant decline in the balance, strength, and flexibility of individuals as they age. In addition, older adults can experience various issues ranging from inflammation, muscle stiffness, arthritis, and back pain to ligament damage, mobility issues, and other chronic illnesses and conditions. All these problems can reduce independence and affect the quality of life of seniors.
Physical therapy can play a pivotal role in improving the lives of seniors and helping them retain their independence. Furthermore, physical therapy is ideal whether they want to improve their general health and mobility, manage a long-term illness, or speed up recovery from surgery. Physical therapists are trained movement experts who can create individualized treatment plans to help seniors maintain or improve their mobility. Here are the top benefits of physical therapy for aging adults:
Reduces falls and injuries
Falls most likely happen as people age, and once a senior has experienced a fall, such instances often occur again in the future. Falls are the leading cause of injury and death by injury in the age group of 65 and older. Physical therapy plays a pivotal role in preventing falls and injuries in seniors. Physical therapists help seniors improve their balance, stability, and range of motion, which minimizes the risk of falls.
Helps in pain management
Seniors can experience pain associated with arthritis, osteoporosis, fibromyalgia, headaches, backache, nerve, and other muscle issues. While most people take medications to alleviate pain and discomfort, several drugs have unwanted side effects. Physical therapy has proven effective in reducing pain naturally without any side effects. Methods used by physical therapists, like electrical stimulation, ice and heat, water therapy, traction, and ultrasound, can aid in pain management in seniors and reduce dependence on medication.
Speeds up recovery
The possibility of injury and illness increases with age. Surgery or a lengthy illness can reduce mobility and cause other complications in seniors. Physical therapy can reduce pain and discomfort and help senior citizens recover quickly from an injury, surgery, or severe illness. It is beneficial in reducing inflammation and swelling, improving mobility, and helping the body heal faster. Physical therapists can suggest exercises to strengthen muscles and improve flexibility, motion, and balance.
Better management of chronic conditions
Seniors are more vulnerable to developing chronic conditions like stroke, diabetes, dementia, multiple sclerosis, vertigo, COPD, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s. Physical therapy is highly effective in managing the symptoms of these conditions. For example, physical therapy can control tremors in people who have Parkinson’s disease, help people who have suffered a stroke to regain mobility, aid people with multiple sclerosis to maintain balance and stability, and reduce fibromyalgia pain by reducing inflammation, strengthening muscles, and improving range of motion.
Promotes independence
Another advantage of physical therapy is that it helps seniors become more independent. It allows them to move around quickly and provides them with the physical fitness and strength to perform everyday tasks like cooking, cleaning, and laundry. Being more independent and improving physical and mental health also helps improve their quality of life.
Access expert physical therapy
Physical therapy can transform the lives of seniors and help them overcome symptoms of age-related health conditions. Contact an experienced physical therapy service to learn more about how they can help improve the lives of aging adults.
Liberated Rehabilitation is a mobile physical therapy service in the Phoenix metro area specializing in fully personalized in-home physical therapy. We provide tailored physical therapy in the home or work setting for faster, better recovery. Call (602)755-2276 to schedule an appointment.
