Why Physical Therapy Becomes More Important As We Age
Thanks to better access to healthcare and information on how to be proactive in supporting our own health, we’re living longer than ever before – with the number of people living to the age of 90 or older being triple what it was three decades ago. This is the kind of news we like to hear but it’s important to remember the importance of quality of life as we age.
Mobility and flexibility are crucial for maintaining an optimal quality of life; however we also tend to take them for granted until they’re gone. As we age, injuries and a natural decline in flexibility make it difficult to maintain a consistent level of physical function. Physical therapy care is a useful tool in staying physically active as we age.
The Role Physical Therapy Plays As We Get Older
The passing of time is unavoidable, and no matter how well we take care of our bodies, there are certain physiological changes that can occur. Unfortunately, if we don’t make the effort to stay physically active and heal from even minor injuries, the domino effect can leave us physically weak, inflexible and prone to injury.
Helps Prevent Injury
The natural decline in flexibility and balance makes us more prone to injury as we age. A fall that might result in nothing more than some general aches for a person in their 30s can cause serious injury in someone older. It’s important to not assume that your body is going to respond and recover from injury the way that it once did. It’s even more important to seek treatment to prevent an injury from becoming worse and further deteriorating your mobility.
Assists the Healing Process
Another issue is osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a bone density disease that affects more than 200 million people worldwide, with the likelihood of occurrence increasing as we age. Osteoporosis often doesn’t manifest any symptoms until a break of fracture has occurred as a result of a fall or other injury. Physical therapy is important for healing from osteoporosis related injuries and to strengthen the body to reduce the potential of repetitive injury.
Physical therapy is also an important component in treating the symptoms of certain chronic illnesses, such as arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, and even incontinence.
The Risks of Skipping Physical Therapy
Unfortunately, some people choose to not attend prescribed physical therapy, a decision that often leads to more serious health problems. In addition to limited mobility and a decline in quality of life, not getting the physical therapy services you need can lead to an increase of pain, reduced physical endurance, predisposition to future injury, infection and even hospitalization.
Seeking the Treatment You Need Today
There’s no reason to not receive the physical therapy care you need, especially if you have access to a skilled and compassionate health center. You can take charge of your health, heal from injury and even grow stronger as you age. If you’re in need of physical therapy services, we’re a health care center that will provide you with the expert, compassionate care you need. Contact Princeton Health Care Center and speak to our skilled nursing team today.