Physiotherapy can play an important role in improving function & maintaining independence as we age.
Physio to assist mature age clients – Some quick questions to help identify a need for change:
- Have you noticed your balance isn’t as good as it once was?
- Are you struggling to get up out of chairs?
- Do you find yourself reaching for objects to hold on to while walking?
- Do you suffer from pain in your joints?
- Have you recently had a trip or fall?
If you answered YES to any of the above questions than there is good news. Physiotherapy can address all of these issues and many more to help you feel safe and confident in your body while you move through life.
How physiotherapy can help elderly people?
As we age, our ability to function through daily life reduces and performing the same activities we once loved becomes increasingly difficult. This may be a result of specific diseases/conditions or simply due to a lack of physical activity.
If you are having difficulties performing the same social hobbies as before, standing up out of chairs, walking, climbing stairs or even getting in/out of bed then a regular physiotherapy routine can have a significant impact on maintaining your independence.
Physiotherapy assists elderly people under 3 branches:
Prevent Injuries
Falls is a major concern in the elderly population that can result in severe disability and/or loss of independence. In Australia 1 in 3 people over the age of 65 will have at least one fall per year. As such, if you notice any loss of balance, weakness or have already suffered a fall in the past, it is important to seek assistance as soon as possible.
Physiotherapy aims to prevent injuries, such as falls, from happening with the aid of a regular physical activity prescription, balance program, falls prevention program or perhaps a mobility aid may need to be prescribed to ensure your safety as you go about your daily activities.
Rehabilitate Injuries
If you have had a recent hospital stay associated with a medical condition or operation your muscular strength and cardiovascular fitness can rapidly decline as you rest and recover from your medical event. This results in a condition called deconditioning. Deconditioning is strongly linked to an increased risk of falls, decreased physical independence and functional decline.
Therefore after a hospital stay, it is extremely important to participate in a physiotherapy rehabilitation program to rectify these issues. This generally would consist of a series of exercises, stretches, walking programs and balance exercises. However, it is important that you consult your therapist to obtain a tailored program suited to your condition.
Relieve Pain
Nobody likes being in pain. Sometimes muscle or ligament strains/sprains happen out of the blue resulting in significant discomfort. Or perhaps you are suffering from pain attributed to degenerative osteoarthritis? There are a multitude of therapeutic techniques that Physiotherapists can employ to allow you to live a pain free life. These include but are not limited to:
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- Dry needling
- Massage
- Ultrasound
- Exercise rehabilitation
- Trigger point therapy
- Kinesiotaping
- Joint mobilisations
- Myofascial release
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