Whoever Said These Were the “Golden Years”....Did They Know What They Were Talking About?

We are getting older every day, whether we like it or not, and aging frequently brings on new aches, pains, and changes in our bodies that we aren’t very keen about.  But with the right type and amount of physical activity, we can help stave off many age-related health problems and continue to do the activities we love.  Research done in the Louisiana Healthy Aging Study in 2013 shows keeping active outside the home with social activities and clubs directly correlates with long term physical health.  So the two mirror each other... staying physically fit keeps us doing things we enjoy, and doing things we enjoy helps keep our physical independence and mobility. 

Here are 7 tips from a Physical Therapist to help you "Age Well" and enjoy the Golden Years.  

1. Chronic Pain Doesn't Have To Be The Boss of You.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2016, an estimated 20.4% (50 million) US adults experienced chronic pain. We focus our treatments to address chronic pain without addictive pain medicines or medications that make so drowsy you can’t function.  A physical therapist-supervised exercise program addresses mobility, strength, and pain management while moving and at rest, improving your overall quality of life.  We help you be the boss over your symptoms.
2. You Can Still Build Muscle Strength When You Are Older.   Just because you have gotten weaker or lost muscle mass with age doesn’t mean you can’t build strength with what you have.  Multiple research studies have shown increased strength and actual muscle cellular growth with resisted training.  Sometimes, the biggest challenge is getting over our own belief that you are “too far gone” or “too old”.  Our physical therapist and personal fitness trainer can get you started at the right place and give you the right amount of push to build strength. 
3. Surgery is Not Always the Answer.  The phrase “At some point, you will need surgery” is probably overused by physicians.  If you aren’t at the point where you need surgery now because you can’t function, there are always non-invasive, non pharmacological options.  We can help you figure out what might work best for you. 
4. Exercise and Strength Decreases the Risk of Falls. According the the CDC, approximately 1 in 4 adult over the age of 65 had a fall last year.  Falls can affect someone physically and well as decrease confidence in one’s own safety which leads to more inactivity.  But falls are not a normal part of aging, they are a part of deconditioning, therefore - they are PREVENTABLE!!  
5. Bone Strength DEPENDS on Physical Activity and Weightbearing.  Osteoporosis or “frail bones” are a result of many factors, but without tension placed on the bones you can be confident that they will decrease in density.   According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation it affects more than ½ of American women and ¼ men over the age of 50.  
6. Our Hearts Desire Exercise.  Heart disease is the #1 cause of death in the US, and exercise has been proven as the top way to prevent it.  For those who are already suffering from heart disease or high blood pressure, appropriate exercises guided by a physical therapist or exercise physiologist is one of the treatments to improve your health. 
7. Our Brains Crave Exercise.  This past week, one of my patients spoke of her previous visit and exclaimed “My brain felt clearer than it has in months after I finished my session !” Yes!  Increased blood flow to the brain helps us think more clearly as well as regulating mood.  In addition, people who are physically active, including in the later years, have a decreased risk of dementia and Alzheimer's.  

So what’s the common denominator here?  Exercise and Physical Activity.  

If you need some guidance to get started, keep active, or just need a push to the next level, call for help at 504-313-6502 or leave us some information and we will call you!  Physical Therapists are Movement Experts and our fitness trainers can also set you up with a program and some accountability!
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