It’s no secret that physical therapy offers many benefits for all types of patients, including seniors. As people age, a decline in overall health may occur. This may also be due to various medical conditions. However, with physical therapy, seniors can help prevent some of these age-related conditions.
Relief from Pain and Swelling
Most seniors who start physical therapy do so because pain and swelling from injury or illness starts limiting their mobility. Physical therapists have a wide variety of treatments that can be used to provide relief from these debilitating symptoms. Manual therapy, exercises, and cold and health therapy are common strategies that physical therapists use to provide seniors relief from pain and swelling.
Treating Age Related Conditions
There are several common health conditions that regularly cause problems for seniors. Physical therapy can effectively address these issues by enhancing range of motion, balance, and strength. Physical therapy in Durham, NC can help treat these and other age related illnesses:
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Arthritis
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Alzheimer’s
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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
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Incontinence
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Parkinson’s Disease
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Stroke
Preventing Falls and Injuries
Physical therapy can prevent and treat physical injury. Falls are a primary cause of physical injury in seniors. Statistics compiled by the American Academy of Family Physicians indicates that between 30 and 40 percent of adults older than 65 dwelling in senior communities experience at least one fall each year. For nursing home residents, these rates are much higher.
For younger people, falling may seem like no big deal. However, for seniors, falling can cause severe injury and cause serious damage. Physical therapy can make seniors more coordinated, flexible, and stronger. By maintaining balance and mobility with physical therapy, seniors can significantly reduce their risk of falling.
Independent Living
One of the biggest benefits that physical therapy offers seniors is the ability to live independently. Of course, physical therapy isn’t the magic cure-all, but adding physical therapy to a health care regimen is a wonderful way to address health issues that seniors commonly face and help improve overall health.
Brian Center Southpoint offers physical therapy at our facility in Durham, NC. Our physical therapists will design an individualized treatment program to assist patients in achieving their highest level of functional mobility.
For more information about our services, contact us today.