Physical therapists are passionate about helping seniors live their best lives through rehabilitation. Balance, coordination and muscle strength all tend to decline as we age. Physical therapy can help you regain lost muscle strength and increase range of motion and flexibility in the joints. It can also improve quality of life. Rehab is a great way to keep seniors fit and active and to promote better overall health. Keep reading to learn about conditions affecting seniors and the variety of methods that physical therapists can use to help treat these conditions in senior rehab.
Conditions treated by senior rehab
As we age, our muscles and joints tend to lose strength and mobility. This can be a result of atrophy from lack of use, arthritis or pain from a lingering injury. In addition to treating generalized pain and weakness, physical therapists can come up with individualized treatment plans for senior patients including:
- Joint replacements such as knees or hips.
- Balance and coordination disorders like vertigo.
- Back pain including sciatica.
- Cardiac and pulmonary diseases such as heart failure.
- Sports and orthopedic injuries like strains or tears.
Treatment options for senior rehab
Just as the conditions for senior rehab treatment vary, so do the personalized rehabilitation plans. Listed below are just a few of the many treatment options your physical therapist may choose to employ during senior rehabilitation:
- Aquatic therapy — Aquatic therapy is another great option for seniors who may have difficulty exercising on land. The buoyancy of the water helps support the weight of the body while the extra resistance can help build muscle. Exercising in the water can often be a more fun and enjoyable experience than performing exercises in a more traditional rehab setting.
- Balance therapy — Balance therapy is particularly designed to help restore balance in older individuals and ultimately prevent falls. It involves various types of movements and tasks that can help train balance.
- Fitness aftercare program — A fitness aftercare program is a great option for seniors needing exercise integrated into their daily routine. This type of treatment program is ideal because it provides seniors with a consistent fitness routine to improve cardiovascular health. It also ensures attentive care.
We hope you choose us for senior rehab
Keeping the body moving and limber is the best way to prevent the limiting of our functional mobility as we get older. Don’t let arthritis, a lingering injury, or other age-related condition prevent you from enjoying the activities you do on a daily basis. Not only this, but 30% of our patients are over the age of sixty. We have experience caring for seniors and are confident we can provide quality care. The physical therapists of Peak Performance Sports and Physical Therapy understand the importance of helping people stay active to improve their standard of life.
If you or someone you know is suffering from an age-related condition that affects your quality of life, please don’t hesitate to contact us today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.
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