How physiotherapy can help you hold back the years

It's true that age eventually catches up with all of us. Grey hairs begin to stare back at us in the mirror, teeth naturally yellow and wrinkles develop as our skin becomes less tight. These are the visible signs of aging, which most of us worry about; things that people are prepared to pay large sums of money to treat with make-up or even cosmetic surgery.

But what about those less visible signs? The ones that aren't always seen by others but can cause years of pain and discomfort? What does aging mean to our bodies, and how can physiotherapy benefit us?

The physical impacts of aging

While make-up and hair dye can mask the obvious signs of aging, tackling the fundamental changes in our physiology is much trickier. Underneath the surface, time takes a much more important toll on each and every one of us. The older we become, the more likely it is that we'll be vulnerable to a number of medical conditions such as osteoporosis, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. However, the good news is that identifying these areas of deterioration can help us to condition ourselves to counter them. For a physiotherapist there are two main aging factors that can be tackled:

The cardiovascular system: As we age, our blood vessels can become narrowed causing an increased resistance to the blood flow passing through them. The knock on effect is hypertension - more commonly referred to as high blood pressure.

Bones, muscles and joints: After the age of 35, the ability of our bones to regenerate under stress, strain, wear and tear diminishes. Bones therefore weaken and thin into old age, making them easier to fracture. Muscle tone also reduces, often leading to poor balance, while our soft tissue becomes less flexible due to the shrinking of collagen. This physiological deterioration of muscles, bones and joints can also lead to poor posture and a gradual stooping in old age.

What can a physiotherapist do to help?

It is extremely important that we are all aware of our own physical abilities before attempting to make significant changes in our health. But with the right support and advice from a trained physiotherapist, the effects of aging can be combated. Treatment by a physiotherapist can improve the health of mature patients in a number of ways. These include:

• Improved balance
• Strengthened muscles
• Better posture and less stooping
• Increased flexibility
• Decreased joint and muscle pain
• Improved circulation
• Reduced stress

Wellbeing is a measure of how we feel, not just how we look in a mirror. Isn't it more important that we pay attention to the quality of life we are experiencing rather than the perceived reflection looking back at us? Our advice is always, don't suffer from the likes of back or neck pain in silence, when help is at hand.

Want to know more about how our physiotherapy services can help you stay fit, active and pain-free? Call TG Physiotherapy Care on 07866 464385 or email tripti@triptigyan.com for more information. We would be happy to hear from you.