Tackling Every Physical Condition at the Age of 50: The Physical Therapy Way
Have you noticed your body doesn’t seem to recover quite the same way since turning 50? Are you looking for guidance on how to stay active and avoid the aches and pains of getting older? At NorthStar Physical Therapy in Star, ID, our physical therapists are the musculoskeletal experts and can help make sure you do what it takes to stay healthy and active!
We often hear in the news how important staying active is for your overall health and well-being. Unfortunately, we have unintentionally set the bar so low that people think moving an hour a day is the goal for physical and mental well-being. This is the bare minimum, not the best-case scenario.
Staying active is about using the body to your physical capabilities, maintaining a healthy weight, an appropriate work-life balance, and staying physically fit. The modern world, filled with technological advances, seems to have normalized a sedentary lifestyle, where convenience and quick access to everything has replaced physical exertion.
When you combine inactivity with aging, you get a disaster waiting to happen. The natural consequences of aging are magnified with a sedentary lifestyle, making aches and pains more prevalent and putting you at a higher risk for specific injuries and conditions.
We understand that for physical well-being, there is no doubt that movement is medicine. Now, more than ever, we know that for those 50 years and older, our physical and mental well-being depends on us staying active. Our mission at NorthStar Physical Therapy in Star, ID, is to help people find, and maintain, ways to stay active.
Call today to learn more about how we help 50-year-olds stay pain-free and healthy!
What are common conditions 50-year-olds deal with?
As we get older, our body begins to degenerate; this is 100% normal and natural. Although society tries to avoid reality, at NorthStar Physical Therapy, our physical therapists choose to focus on the positives and work to keep the body healthy and strong throughout our lifetimes!
In addition to the degenerative changes our body experiences, we also experience a slower recovery and healing process as we age. Aches and pains will often linger longer, and injuries require more patience and persistence to get the recovery we seek.
Some of the most common conditions we treat that have a higher incidence at age 50 and above include:
- Back pain: Although back pain can happen at any age, back pain due to herniated discs peaks in our 50s.
- Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD): This scary-sounding condition is a normal process where most people show signs by age 50.
- Osteoarthritis: Our joints are particularly susceptible to aches and pains, but contrary to popular belief, inactivity and not using the joints is the real reason for more damage and pain.
- Osteoporosis: More women than men experience osteoporosis, and by age 50, the risk increases significantly.
- Tendonopathy: Recent research has demonstrated that issues with tendons often start from repetitive movements and degenerative micro-tearing related to age.
At NorthStar Physical Therapy in Star, ID, our physical therapists are experts at identifying the root cause of your aches and pain and guiding you back to health after an injury. Regardless of what you are dealing with, we can help!
What to expect at your NorthStar Physical Therapy sessions
Our highly trained physical therapists will conduct a comprehensive evaluation at your first session. This will include a thorough history to identify your medical history, including injuries and current situation. We will also perform a physical examination and movement screening to assess your range of motion, strength, and neurological function.
We will use this information to develop a treatment plan tailored to your individual impairments and functional limitations. Initially, we will focus on alleviating any pain and mobility deficits. Our therapists will use manual therapy techniques, targeted stretches, and any modality that can help provide relief and improve your ability to move.
As you progress, we will shift to strengthening exercises, balance and coordination drills, and activities to restore your function to your previous levels. Our team understands the importance of continuing your routine and will design a specific home exercise plan to continue when your therapy ends.
We will also offer nutritional guidance and recommendations that help your mental and emotional well-being. Our goal is to ensure you have the tools to stay active and healthy at age 50 and beyond!
Request an appointment today!
Our physical therapists will identify all the factors standing in your way and give you the tools to get healthy and stay healthy!
If you are looking for proven strategies to alleviate pain and restore function, Call NorthStar Physical Therapy in Star, ID today!