Why Physical Therapy Is Important For Aging Seniors

Are you or one of your senior family members wondering if physical therapy can benefit the quality of your life? Senior citizens are at high risk of developing mobility issues. This makes it harder for them to get around and do the things they love. It can be hard to deal with these issues, but for those who are suffering, we have some good news for you. As a provider of physical therapy in White Plains and Port Chester NY, Healing Therapeutics has acquired many years of experience in helping our patients regain control of their lives. Here are the reasons for why physical therapy is important for aging seniors.

What Is Physical Therapy?

Physical Therapy is defined as the treatment of disease, injury, or deformity by physical methods such as massage, heat treatment, and exercise, rather than by drugs or surgery. As it relates to geriatric patients, physical therapy will focus on addressing functional issues related to pain, poor endurance, balance issues, difficulty walking, and muscle weakness. The decline in general health is affiliated with the aging process and makes daily tasks more challenging than they need to be. Our goal at Healing Therapeutics is to restore functionality and keep seniors on track for meaningful and purposeful independent living.

Promoting Independence

For seniors, physical therapy can help them move around more easily and with confidence. It’s beneficial for improving their daily life and promotes independence (which is something all of us appreciate having!) Physical therapy can help older adults with performing the following everyday tasks:

  • Preparing meals
  • Doing laundry
  • Cleaning their homes
  • Mowing the lawn

Reducing The Risks Of Falls & Slips

Physical therapy in White Plains and Port Chester NY can reduce the risks of fall and slip accidents. Did you know that falls are the leading cause of injury in seniors? In many cases, these accidents can result in skin-tears, fractures, or other life-threatening injuries. Physical therapists rely on various extension exercises that put a strong emphasis on flexibility, strength, and proper gait (way of walking) to mitigate the risk of slip and falls.

Maintaining A Healthy Lifestyle

We’re all aware of how maintaining and keeping up with an exercise routine is imperative for staying physically and mentally fit. As we age, this continues to become more of a priority. Seniors who use physical therapy in White Plains and Port Chester NY as exercise are more active, and eliminate their risk of problems related to obesity, which accounts for 18% of adult deaths in the US.

Treating Chronic Illness And Disease

Throughout the aging process, risk for certain diseases and illnesses can increase. Medical professionals are continually finding that there are a myriad of benefits of physical therapy for seniors who suffer from these ailments. Here are some illnesses and diseases it can help treat and manage:

  • Arthritis: People aged 65 and older have some form of arthritis in their spine, but the symptoms may not pop up immediately. PT utilizes physical techniques to alleviate any discomfort. It also works well as a preventative tool for curbing any future pain that can occur as a result of arthritis. 
  • Strokes: Stroke sufferers often experience loss of muscle strength on one side of the body. In treating this symptom, PT’s will use a constraint-induced movement therapy method which restrains the good limb, allowing the person to focus on strength training for the weaker limb. It works to stimulate the part of the brain that controls movement, in hopes of restoring proper function to the impacted limb.
  • Incontinence: Incontinence is yet another issue that physical therapy can help improve. By identifying specific muscles and learning to use them correctly, PT’s will assign pelvic exercises that increase strength to the muscles that control the bladder.
  • Parkinson’s Disease: About 1.5 million Americans are dealing with Parkinson’s Disease. Despite the fact that the disease is irreversible and progressive, medication and physical therapy are useful for enhancing trunk flexibility–ultimately decreasing the involuntary robotic movements that are associated with the disease. 
  • Alzheimer’s Disease: Physical therapy for seniors who have Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia involves using exercises that improve memory function. In doing so, it can delay the onset of more serious memory impairments. 

Healing Therapeutics: Physical Therapy for Seniors in Port Chester, NY

Physical therapists are becoming increasingly more involved in senior healthcare. From decreasing pain to restoring vitality, the benefits of physical therapy for seniors in Port Chester NY and White Plains, NY are too good to pass up. Allow our team of professionals at Healing Therapeutics to help you recuperate from your ailments. To get started, contact us today!

2022-06-09T15:20:18+00:00
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