#WellnessWednesday: Physical Therapy Helps Seniors #AgeWell

Would you believe in a nondrug treatment that works for arthritis, cancer pain, Parkinson’s, and incontinence and improves your strength and endurance? There is one — physical therapy.

When a person gets injured or has a prolonged illness, doctors often recommend physical therapy. Truth be told, physical therapy can treat many conditions aside from injury, particularly in seniors, from Alzheimer’s to urinary incontinence. It’s more than just physical exercise – it’s helping to maintain their independence.

According to APTA, physical therapy can restore or increase strength, range of motion, flexibility, coordination, and endurance — as well as reduce pain. Another important role is to retrain the patient to do everyday tasks.

Look at arthritis, for example. By 65, almost everyone has it, though not everyone has symptoms. Besides taking a pill, sufferers can avail themselves of many types of physical therapy — aquatic, hot packs, electrical stimulation, ice to reduce swelling, and more.

The purpose of physical therapy is to emphasize strength, range of motion, balance, and coordination, all things that seem to decrease with old age. Therapy is almost always prescribed for hip fracture and replacement patients, amputees, and those with joint aches and pains.

Balance is another issue with older people. It requires many systems in the body, from joint receptors to muscle strength, which physical therapy can be instrumental to conditioning.

Older people who suffer strokes require physical therapy to retrain the brain and muscular function. Studies have shown that physical intervention at the onset or in the early stages of Parkinson’s disease can almost always prevent the severe symptoms of stage 4.

Family support is crucial to maintaining seniors’ best quality of life. Families should participate, understanding that physical therapy is a journey. Suggest walks in the park or a stress-free trip to the store, and keep everybody moving for optimal health.

References

https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/features/physical-therapy-benefits-for-seniors#1

Physical Therapy is the “secret” to better, faster, natural and more affordable pain relief. In 2017, well-known physical therapist and clinic owner, Dr. Michelle Wolpov, PT, DPT, MBA, ATC, CSCS, released the book, “Direct Access to Physical Therapy: The Secret Revealed – How To Relieve Pain & Restore Function WITHOUT Medication, Injections or Surgery” to educate the public about the benefits of self-referral to physical therapy. This book is the first of its kind, to use evidence-based research to validate why a physical therapist is the most qualified to treat pain and musculoskeletal problems, how direct access saves patients time, money, and yields better results, and how to start treatment immediately, without a physician referral. Start your journey to a pain free life today! Available on Amazon for Paperback and Kindle.

For more of Dr. Wolpov’s tips, updates, and the latest information about physical therapy for patients and professionals alike, follow Game Shape Physical Therapy and ThinkPTFirst on Facebook and Instagram.

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