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Did you know that one in three older individuals (65 and older) will fall this year, along with 50 percent of those over age 80? It’s true. These falls often have serious medical consequences, such as broken bones and other types of trauma. Here is the good news: seniors can guard themselves against age-related injuries with physiotherapy.
Too many people assume that falls and consequent bone breaks are a natural part of the aging process. This does not have to be the case. Physiotherapy can fortify the body against falls and resultant broken bones.
Fight Falls with Physiotherapy
Avoiding falls is the best way to prevent broken bones, and physiotherapy is the best way to prevent falls. Physiotherapists are experts at helping older individuals stay upright and on their feet. These therapists carefully design treatment plans that increase strength, mobility, and balance in patients at risk of falling. Once strength and balance are restored, a person’s risk of falling can greatly decrease.
Physiotherapists are also trained to recognize neurological and visual problems that may throw someone off balance and cause a fall. When such an issue is suspected, a patient will be referred to a specialist who can resolve the problem.
How Physiotherapy Strengthens Bones
The first line of defense against steering clear of age-related injury is prevention of falls via physiotherapy; the second is bone strengthening.
Physiotherapy is an effective means of strengthening the bones. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development’s website explains why: “Bones are living tissue. Weight-bearing physical activity causes new bone tissue to form, and this makes bones stronger. This kind of physical activity also makes muscles stronger. Bones and muscles both become stronger when muscles push and tug against bones during physical activity.” Since physiotherapy is a physically based therapy that requires a patient to exercise his or her body, it can cause bones to become stronger.
It should be noted that age plays a role in the body’s natural ability to strengthen bones. Physiotherapy cannot restore a person’s bones to the density they were at a young age, but it can increase bone strength by strengthening muscles and slowing the loss of bone density, thus helping prevent fractures.
Reduced Pain Equals Reduced Incidence of Injury
Physiotherapy doesn’t just prevent falls and fractures; it also reduces inflammation and pain in the body. Pain’s intensity can become so distracting at times that it can actually increase the risk of falling. Those who partake of physiotherapy will reap the benefits of reduced pain, a mental state that is clearer and sharper than it was before, and a reduced risk of injury.
Don’t accept mindsets that enforce the idea that weakness comes with age. Instead, challenge yourself with the belief that the body can be strengthened in ways that will keep you stable and independent. A physiotherapist can help you achieve this reality, so contact one today.