How Physical Therapy Can Help Common Health Risks in People Over Age 60
Today, we are going to talk about something very important: how physical therapy can help people over 60 years old.
Meet James, a spirited 65-year-old who loved his morning walks in the park, cherished his weekends playing golf with friends, and was always ready to play with his grandkids. However, as the years rolled on, James started noticing that his legs were not as strong as they used to be, his back ached a little more than usual, and those morning walks felt more like a chore than a pleasure.
Like James, as we navigate through our 60s, many of us feel that our bodies are slowly betraying us. Those beautiful golden years we looked forward to spending in recreation now seem to be sprinkled with little bouts of health concerns here and there. It seems like aging has thrown us a curveball, making our daily activities and favorite hobbies more challenging.
But it doesn’t have to be this way! Imagine if you could regain that skip in your step, the strength to swing your golf club, or the ability to stay active and enjoy time with your loved ones without worrying about a looming backache or the risk of a fall. This is a very achievable reality!
This is where physical therapy revitalizes your body and spirit, one session at a time!
What Happens When We Get Older?
You may have noticed or heard a loved one talk about feeling stiff or having aches and pains as they get older. Well, it’s true that our bodies undergo various changes as we age. When people reach the age of 60 and above, they sometimes find that their muscles aren’t as strong as they used to be, and they might not move as quickly.
Let’s explore some of the most common physical changes we experience as we get older:
Joints:
As we grow older, our joints might not be as limber as they were when we were younger. Conditions like osteoarthritis can make joints a bit achy and less mobile.
Muscles:
When we’re older, our muscles are not as strong as when we were kids or adults. We lose muscle mass, and with it, we lose strength and reaction time to respond to daily challenges.
Balance:
Keeping a good balance can become challenging as we age, leading to slips and falls. Changes to our vision also impact the changes to our muscles and joints, which lead to difficulties with our balance.
Getting older is a natural part of life, but it can sometimes bring some changes to our bodies that we might not be too excited about. Thankfully, with the help of Recovery Physical Therapy physical therapists, you can continue to enjoy your favorite activities and even try new ones while keeping your bodies happy and healthy!
How Our Physical Therapists Can Help
Like James, many of us might feel slower and less sturdy as we age. Fortunately, our physical therapists are here to help you get back into action. We’ll start by conducting a comprehensive evaluation, including a physical examination and medical history, to understand your physical abilities and overall health.
Next, we’ll design a program to address your specific needs, including:
- Mobility Exercises: We’ll guide you through gentle stretches and mobility work to ease the aches in your joints and improve your overall ability to move.
- Strengthening Exercises: Our therapists will teach you targeted strengthening exercises to improve your ability to react and regain your power. Strong muscles mean we can safely continue doing all the things we love.
- Balance and Gait Drills: Physical therapists can teach us special exercises and drills that make us more stable so we can walk safely without worrying about falling.
Our experienced therapists will help guide you to a happier and healthier life, where morning walks are a joy and playing with the grandkids is a breeze!
Get the Right Guidance To Getting Older!
If you or someone you know is over 60 and wants to take great care of their health, visiting Recovery Physical Therapy can help you learn how to take care of your body so you can enjoy life to the fullest, doing the things you love most!
Remember, age is just a number; with the right help, everyone can enjoy a wonderful life!
Get Started with PT Now!
Return to Recovery Physical Therapy and Let’s Continue Your Journey to Wellness Together. Schedule Your Appointment Now!
Celebrate the season with this refreshing Cranberry Sparklers Mocktail, bursting with festive flavor and fizzy fun. It’s the perfect guilt-free way to toast any occasion and delight your taste buds!
Enjoy This Healthy Recipe!
Cranberry Sparklers Mocktail
- 1 cup cranberries (thawed if frozen), plus more for garnish
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon orange bitters
- 1 750-ml bottle sparkling non-alcoholic dry wine, chilled
- Seltzer, chilled, for topping
Muddle the cranberries with the sugar in a small bowl until the cranberries are in small bits and the sugar is dissolved. Strain into a large liquid measuring cup and stir in the bitters. (This can be done a day ahead; cover and refrigerate.)
For each drink, add 1 ounce of the cranberry mixture to a glass filled with ice. Top with about 4 ounces sparkling wine and a splash of seltzer. Garnish with cranberries.
Did you make a health-related New Year’s resolution this year? Whether going to the gym twice a week or eating more fruits and vegetables, these resolutions always start with the best intentions–but often fizzle out by Valentine’s Day.
This year, why not have the Recovery Physical Therapy physical therapists help you reach your health goals? Schedule an appointment today so we can help you get healthy in the new year. We’ll…
- Conduct a comprehensive physical assessment to pinpoint areas of weakness and/or impairment.
- Help you set realistic and attainable health goals.
- Show you how to make the most of that new gym membership.
- Provide tips for healthy, delicious meals.
- Suggest strategies for integrating more movement into your day-to-day life.
Call today to kickstart your journey toward good health and wellness!
Our Patients Get Great Results
“A truly awesome team of pros. I’ve been going here on and off for years for various soccer and tennis “injuries”. You can rely on the EXPERTISE of the PTS here. Recently working with Krishna—who has an expert eye and realized the reason for the injury with pain/soreness in my foot was due to knee, quad & calf tightness and misalignment. After the very first session, after some isolation exercises, I walked out with almost no more pain and no more limp. This incredible result was almost ‘MAGICAL” and made me very pleased as I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to play tennis for several more weeks. I also bought some new items on Amazon to make me stronger than ever and will do all the recommended exercises. Thank you Recovery Physical Therapy!”
– Teresa Y.
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January Word Scramble
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aoceeibrtln
seaeynwr
sneuoloirt
iplcmosy
orkrfsiwe
Answer Key
hibernation
celebration
new years
resolution
olympics
fireworks
Exercise of the Month
MODIFIED PUSH UP
Start in a kneeling position with your hands placed slightly wider than shoulder-width apart on the floor. Walk your hands forward and shift your weight so your body forms a straight line from your knees to your head. Lower your chest toward the floor by bending your elbows, keeping your core engaged. Push back up to the starting position.
3 Sets, 10 Reps. (Materials needed: floor mat)
