3 Ways Seniors Can Benefit From Physical Therapy Even Without An Injury

While most people associate physical therapy with rehabilitation for individuals recovering from an accident or injury, the process can be incredibly beneficial for all adults, even people who aren’t injured. Consider these 3 key benefits associated with physical therapy and why seniors should consider participating in physical therapy regardless of injury status.

1. Improved mobility and less pain

Many people believe in the persistent myth that reduced mobility is a default side effect of aging. But declining mobility or agility aren’t de facto situations that a person must experience. Working with a physical therapist to stay active can help older adults maintain joint flexibility as well as help to maintain stamina for sustained activities like walking and jogging. Likewise, working with a physical therapist can help to reduce minor aches and pains as well as potentially prevent the need for prescribing opioids as a form of pain management.

2. Physical therapy to prevent falls

The less people move, the more likely an individual may struggle with balance because of impaired reflexes in later years. Slowing reflexes and poor balance combine with uneven floors or pavement for a dangerous trifecta that can lead to unexpected trips and falls. But the truth is that just like mobility, declining balance doesn’t have to be a side effect of aging. Instead, older adults can work with a physical therapist to perform low-impact exercises that help to maintain proper balance and strength. As a result, older adults will gain more confidence with every step taken and be more likely to engage in activities outside the home for a more robust social life.

3. Improved bone and muscle health

Even though most people know that staying active, along with maintaining a healthy diet, can go a long way towards better wellness, many seniors don’t engage in enough daily physical activity. Studies have shown that past the age of 70, the typical adult loses as much as 15% of muscle mass per decade. However, medical evidence has shown that performing even just 30 minutes of sustained low-impact activities like light weight lifting, stretches, or walking every day can reduce a person’s risk of premature bone density and muscle mass loss. A physical therapist can work with a client to create an age-appropriate exercise routine that can be followed from the comfort of an individual’s home.

Keeping seniors moving

The truth is, adults don’t have to decline into old age. With the right activity level, older adults can enjoy life just as much as in younger years. Staying active is about more than just maintaining mobility. The more physically active an older adult is, the more likely that the individual can still engage in a full social life and reduce the risk of isolation, which is a common concern for older individuals who prefer to age in place. Likewise, physical therapy can help to prevent common health concerns that older adults face. Conditions such as reduced bone density and muscle mass, as well as reduced joint flexibility and stamina, can be minimized when older adults choose to work with a qualified physical therapist.