According to the National Center for Health Statistics, more than 20% of adults struggled with chronic pain in 2019. Chronic pain also increases with age. Over 30% of seniors over 65 struggle with chronic pain.
Physical therapy is one of the ways to manage chronic pain. This guide will discuss other ways physical therapy can help seniors. Keep reading to learn more.
Physical Therapy Helps With Chronic Pain
As noted before, chronic pain affects seniors more commonly than other adults. Pain is often a symptom of chronic conditions like arthritis or osteoporosis. Both of these conditions occur most often at an older age.
Physical therapy should be a part of senior care because it can help manage pain and make it more bearable. It can help by increasing strength in your muscles and joints.
Your physical therapist will focus on teaching you exercises aimed at reducing any aches or discomfort you’re feeling.
It Can Increase Independence
Physical therapy can also increase your level of independence as an older adult. A consistent physical therapy routine can increase your range of motion. This means you’ll be able to move with more ease.
This can make it easier to complete the daily tasks you’ve had trouble with before. You’ll no longer struggle to cook your meals, clean your home, or keep up with your daily hygiene. This newfound independence will improve your quality of life.
It Decreases the Risk of a Fall
Senior physical therapy can also decrease your chances of suffering a fall or getting injured. Your mobility decreases as you get older, and this makes it easier for you to get hurt.
Fractures can be much more complicated the older you get. The healing process can be more painful and challenging.
Physical therapy will help you gain more flexibility and balance. When you work on improving your balance each day, you’ll be less likely to trip and fall.
Physical Therapy Can Decrease Your Reliance on Prescription Medication
When you’ve suffered from chronic pain for a long time, the simplest solution is to turn to pain medication. These can help you get back to your daily routine.
Without something to ease the pain, you might struggle to get out of bed, much less complete important tasks. Pain medication can come with a long list of negative side effects, however.
If you want to avoid damage to some of your major organs, you’ll be glad to hear physical therapy can help. Since physical therapy helps you manage your pain, you’ll be less likely to go back to taking medication.
It Promotes a Faster Recovery Period
A good physical therapy program can also benefit you after you’ve suffered an injury in an accident. Healing can be a slow process when you’re older. Physical therapy can help you heal faster by reducing swelling and inflammation at the site of the injury.
While rest after an injury is vital, staying immobile can do you more harm. Choose a physical therapist that’ll help you create the right treatment plan to improve joint and muscle recovery. This will decrease the pain you feel from your injury as well.
Physical Therapy Reduces the Likelihood of Surgery
Pain is often caused by joint or muscle damage. This can occur after an accident or because of a chronic condition.
The only treatment option for this irreversible damage is often surgery. If you want to avoid such an invasive procedure, you should consider physical therapy.
Physical therapy is a natural way of healing your body and reducing aches and pains. It’s also more affordable than surgery.
Physical Therapy Promotes a Healthier Life
Physical therapy promotes a healthier lifestyle in general. Staying active is good for your physical health. It keeps your heart healthy and helps you maintain a healthy weight.
The better your mobility as you age, the more you’ll be able to accomplish. The more active lifestyle you can achieve with physical therapy can also benefit your mental health and help you combat loneliness.
It Can Help You Manage the Symptoms of Other Health Conditions
Physical therapy can also help you control the symptoms caused by other health issues that occur later in life. Physical therapy can help you control your tremors if you’re living with Parkinson’s disease.
If a stroke has affected your mobility, physical therapy can help you regain it. If you’ve had surgery to replace a hip or knee, physical therapy will help you regain mobility and strength.
It’s an important part of elderly care, whether you want to become more active or need help managing a health condition.
It Reduces Your Risk of Infection
Immobility weakens your muscles and joints. It also increases your chances of developing health conditions that affect your skin.
Ulcers are common when you’re immobile for long periods. These ulcers can increase your risk of developing an infection, too. Decrease your risk of infection by maintaining mobility with physical therapy.
Physical Therapy Exercise Examples
There are many kinds of physical therapy exercises made to target specific issues. Manual therapy involves a therapist using their hands to help reduce pain. Some techniques they use include stretching exercises and soft tissue massages.
Flexibility exercises like toe touches or hamstring stretches will increase flexibility. Balance exercises like side leg raises will help increase your balance.
These Are the Benefits of Physical Therapy for Seniors
Physical therapy can benefit seniors by helping them manage their chronic pain. It also helps reduce the risk of falling.
Did you find helpful information in this blog? If you did, check out some of the other health blogs on our site to learn more about how physical therapy can benefit your health.
