Century Park Blog

As we age, our body changes. We start to lose more muscle and bone mass and may have trouble with formerly easy tasks like walking up stairs or standing up from our seat. Our sense of balance can start to get worse and we may feel more tired, weak, and achy.

One in four older adults fall each year, according to the CDC (Center for Disease Control). And every year falls cause broken bones, head injuries, and other problems, especially in older people. This can make it much harder to get around and live independently, especially as we age.

You may think physical therapy is necessary only after an injury or surgery, like a fall or knee replacement. However, physical therapy can assist with a wide variety of conditions.

Osteoporosis (brittle bones): More than half of people over the age of 50 have osteoporosis. Regular physical therapy can improve bone health and decrease bone loss.

Osteoarthritis: Physical therapists can prescribe exercises and treatment that can lessen pain and increase range of motion so you can do more things.

Vertigo (dizziness): A specially trained “vestibular physical therapist” can help you when you have problems with balance and dizziness such as vertigo, a problem in the inner ear.

Neurological conditions: These include conditions like Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and multiple sclerosis. Physical therapy can help improve your ability to perform daily tasks and stay safe.

Cancer: For some types of cancer pain, a PT program can lessen pain and keep you strong enough to continue in your home and work life.

Incontinence: As people age, it’s more common to leak urine or feel the urge to go. It can be embarrassing, unpleasant, and inconvenient, leading you to socialize and exercise less, which could worsen both your physical and mental health. Physical therapists with specialized training can teach you to contract, relax, and coordinate the muscles of the pelvic floor so that you can keep this problem to a minimum.