How Physical Therapy Can Help Common Health Risks in People Over Age 60
How Physical Therapy Can Help Common Health Risks in People Over Age 60
Today, we are going to talk about something very important: how physical therapy can help people over 60 years old.
Meet James, a spirited 65-year-old who loved his morning walks in the park, cherished his weekends playing golf with friends, and was always ready to play with his grandkids. However, as the years rolled on, James started noticing that his legs were not as strong as they used to be, his back ached a little more than usual, and those morning walks felt more like a chore than a pleasure.
Like James, as we navigate through our 60s, many of us feel that our bodies are slowly betraying us. Those beautiful golden years we looked forward to spending in recreation now seem to be sprinkled with little bouts of health concerns here and there. It seems like aging has thrown us a curveball, making our daily activities and favorite hobbies more challenging.
But it doesn’t have to be this way! Imagine if you could regain that skip in your step, the strength to swing your golf club, or the ability to stay active and enjoy time with your loved ones without worrying about a looming backache or the risk of a fall. This is a very achievable reality!
This is where physical therapy revitalizes your body and spirit, one session at a time!
What Happens When We Get Older?
You may have noticed or heard a loved one talk about feeling stiff or having aches and pains as they get older. Well, it’s true that our bodies undergo various changes as we age. When people reach the age of 60 and above, they sometimes find that their muscles aren’t as strong as they used to be, and they might not move as quickly.
Let’s explore some of the most common physical changes we experience as we get older:
- Joints: As we grow older, our joints might not be as limber as they were when we were younger. Conditions like osteoarthritis can make joints a bit achy and less mobile.
- Muscles: When we’re older, our muscles are not as strong as when we were kids or adults. We lose muscle mass, and with it, we lose strength and reaction time to respond to daily challenges.
- Balance: Keeping a good balance can become challenging as we age, leading to slips and falls. Changes to our vision also impact the changes to our muscles and joints, which lead to difficulties with our balance.
Getting older is a natural part of life, but it can sometimes bring some changes to our bodies that we might not be too excited about. Thankfully, with the help of King Physical Therapy physical therapists, you can continue to enjoy your favorite activities and even try new ones while keeping your bodies happy and healthy!
How Our Physical Therapists Can Help
Like James, many of us might feel slower and less sturdy as we age. Fortunately, our physical therapists are here to help you get back into action. We’ll start by conducting a comprehensive evaluation, including a physical examination and medical history, to understand your physical abilities and overall health.
Next, we’ll design a program to address your specific needs, including:
- Mobility Exercises: We’ll guide you through gentle stretches and mobility work to ease the aches in your joints and improve your overall ability to move.
- Strengthening Exercises: Our therapists will teach you targeted strengthening exercises to improve your ability to react and regain your power. Strong muscles mean we can safely continue doing all the things we love.
- Balance and Gait Drills: Physical therapists can teach us special exercises and drills that make us more stable so we can walk safely without worrying about falling.
Our experienced therapists will help guide you to a happier and healthier life, where morning walks are a joy and playing with the grandkids is a breeze!
Get the Right Guidance To Getting Older!
If you or someone you know is over 60 and wants to take great care of their health, visiting King Physical Therapy can help you learn how to take care of your body so you can enjoy life to the fullest, doing the things you love most!
Remember, age is just a number; with the right help, everyone can enjoy a wonderful life!
Join Us for a Healthier You – Book Today!
Achieve your health goals at King Physical Therapy—reserve your session today!
Our Patients Get Great Results
“Everyone here is super nice. They are helping me to walk again since I injured my fibular head working.“
-Dakota M.
How to Grocery Shop for Healthy Options
When it comes to grocery shopping, there are many options. If you find your weekly trip to the grocery store overwhelming, you’ve come to the right place.
The best way to start your grocery shopping is by thinking about your preferences and needs. For example, do you want to lose weight? How many people are you feeding? Once you’ve determined these factors, make a list of everything you think you may need.
Keep in mind that a diet high in protein and low in carbohydrates has been proven to be the most effective for weight loss. Protein is a building block of muscle, and it stimulates the hormone that helps you feel full. Protein also helps you maintain muscle mass during weight loss, which can help you maintain your metabolism.
The most important thing to remember is that you should be eating a balanced diet. This means that you should avoid overeating any one type of food.
For example, if you are overeating sugar or processed food, it might be time to change your diet. When shopping in the aisles, try to avoid ultra-processed foods, foods with high sugar content, or excessive amounts of red meat.
Here is an example of what a healthy grocery list may look like:
- Fruits: apples, blueberries, clementines, grapefruits, and avocados
- Vegetables: broccoli, asparagus, onions, spinach, peppers, zucchini, sweet potatoes, baby red potatoes, and butternut squash
- Beans and grains: chickpeas, brown rice, black beans, and quinoa
- Proteins: eggs, salmon, and skin-on chicken breast
- Nuts and seeds: roasted almonds, pumpkin seeds, and natural peanut butter
- Dairy and nondairy substitutes: oat milk, coconut milk, feta cheese, and full fat Greek yogurt
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Healthy Recipe
Spring Vegetable Tart
Ingredients
- 2 sheets puff pastry
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 5 oz vegetable dip
- 6 baby zucchini, halved
- 3-4 yellow squash, thinly sliced with a mandoline
- 1 bunch asparagus, thinly sliced lengthways with a mandoline
- 1 1/2 c goat’s cheese
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Balsamic vinegar glaze
- Mixed herbs, to serve
Directions:
Preheat oven to 395°F. Line a large baking tray with baking paper. To make tart case, place pastry sheets side by side on the lined tray. Brush egg wash along the long edge of one sheet, then overlap with the other by 2 cm to create a large single sheet. Fold and pinch all four sides to make a 2 cm border, pushing down to seal. Brush border with egg wash. Using a fork, prick the base of the tart all over. Place in oven and bake for 20 minutes, until golden. Remove from oven and spread base of pastry with dip. Meanwhile, place vegetables in a large bowl. Pour boiling water over vegetables, steep for 1 min to blanch, then drain and pat dry with kitchen paper. Scatter vegetables over tart and crumble over goat’s cheese. Drizzle with oil and vinegar glaze. Serve with mixed herbs.
Meet Our Team
Karla King
PT, MPT, Cert. MDT
Suzanne Gregory
PT, MPT
Monique Mangram
Office Staff
