4 Physical Therapy Tips To Help You Preserve Your Independence As You Age

As you get older, you may notice that it feels like it takes more energy to move around and be as mobile as you were in the past. However, if you take proper care of your body, you should be able to maintain your independence and mobility as you age. Here are five physical therapy tips that will help you do so:

#1 Do Strength Training Exercises

Strength training exercises are not just for body builders. Strength training exercises are important as you age. They help you maintain your muscle tone as you get older. The best type of strength training is progressive resistance training, where you slowly increase the weight that you try to resistance against as you increase your strength. Keeping your muscles tones and fit will help you stay on your feet as you enter more advanced years.

#2 Get In The Pool

Water exercises is a great way to keep up with your cardio fitness. When you work out in the water, you don't have to deal with the same strength training and resistance that you do when doing cardio above ground. Sign up for a senior aquatics class at your local recreation center a couple of days a week. This movement will help keep your heart pumping, as cardiovascular exercises are important at every age.

#3 Try Out Some Thai-Chi

Next, to maintain your balance, try out a Tai-Chi class for arthritis and movement. Or take a physical therapy class that focused on balance and movement for seniors. Both of these types of classes are known as fall reduction classes, as they can help you keep your balance as you age. As you get older, your sense of balance changes, and taking classes and engaging in exercises that specifically focuses on your sense of balance can help you avoid falls, which are a serious risk among seniors and can have serious health consequences.

#4 Use Physical Therapy For Pain

If you do suffer from pain, such as for your lower back and hips, don't turn right away to medication to manage your pain. Instead, sign up for some physical therapy. Physical therapy can help strengthen and improve your body and help you manage and reduce your pain by strengthening your body. The best pain management helps you get rid of the pain, not just deal with it.

Even if you are in you 60s, 70s, 80s, or even 90s, one of the most important things you can do is stay active. Doing basic strength training, exercising in the pool, engaging in Thai-Chi and taking walks around your house and garden are all vital to your health. Staying active and moving will help you keep your memory intact, will help keep your bones strong, help you strengthen your heart and avoid complications such as type 2 diabetes and obesity that can limit your advanced years. 

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