Physical therapy exercises can be designed specifically to treat conditions that ail seniors. These can include physical, mental, and cognitive health issues. Physical therapy can lead to better coordination and balance, more flexibility and endurance. It can reduce the risk of diabetes and heart conditions.It has also proven to be highly effective in enhancing memory skills, which is especially helpful for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
At the end of the day, it is important for anyone to stay active and live a healthier lifestyle. For seniors, this active lifestyle can help to better manage pain from chronic conditions like arthritis. Call the Parkway Place team at 281.305.1846 to find out more about senior physical therapy techniques designed specifically to manage arthritis pain.
Senior Physical Therapy Techniques
An active lifestyle will aid in arthritis prevention overall. Activities like stretching, walking, swimming, and biking can be both fun and beneficial for seniors. For those with arthritis, managing the pain associated with the condition and preventing further pressure on the joints is the goal of any physical activity or therapy. Exercises should focus on flexibility, mobility, and muscle strength.
There are various physical therapy techniques that can be employed. These include:
- Massage
- Hydrotherapy
- Heat therapy
- Cold therapy
- Electrical stimulation
You will meet with a physical therapist to discuss a plan for your unique needs and decide which techniques make the most sense for you. The therapist may even recommend simple lifestyle changes to better manage pain like improving posture, using walkers or canes the right way, relieving joint stress with braces or orthotics, and incorporating more ergonomic furnishings in your home.
Physical therapy sessions will consist of a variety of exercises that target the pain.You will meet with the therapist on a consistent basis to ensure proper execution of the exercises for the right benefit. The end goal is for you to be able to do these exercises on your own as part of your routine activity to better manage arthritis pain going forward.
Managing Arthritis Pain
Physical therapy can help seniors manage arthritis and the joint pain that comes along with it. Joint flexibility can become a serious issue as you age. Maintaining a good range of motion supports a healthier way of life in general. A physical therapist will help you develop a program of exercises that targets arthritis pain specifically.
Exercises for arthritis pain address stiffness in the joints as well as inflammation. Through a combination of being consistently active, eating healthy, and being careful in your everyday life to avoid injury you can better manage the pain you experience due to arthritis. Any course of action that you take for this kind of pain management should also be reviewed by your primary care provider.
Arthritis tends to be a result of injuries and the impact the injury has on a joint. So, avoiding injury is a key component in avoiding pain associated with arthritis. In general, the fewer injuries you experience, the less risk of arthritis.
Senior Physical Therapy Techniques for Arthritis Pain Relief
Some techniques may include:
- Weight training
- Low-impact exercises like swimming and cycling
- Range of motion exercises to improve flexibility
- Balance exercises to reduce the risk of falls and joint injuries
- Tai Chi or yoga to improve balance, strength, and flexibility
By incorporating these techniques into your daily routine, you can effectively manage arthritis pain and maintain a good range of motion in your joints.
Manage Arthritis Pain at Parkway Place
The community life that you will find at Parkway Place is one that supports seniors in so many ways. In addition to the varied living communities for every stage of life, the programs and services offered across the continuum of care are top-notch. From physical and speech therapies to fine dining to an on-site chaplaincy program and more, residents have everything they need at their disposal. Living a comfortable life among peers, with all the services you need, is the way to live out your twilight years.
Contact Parkway Place online or call us at 281.305.1846 to learn more about how our senior physical therapy techniques can help you or a loved one.