Aging reduces the strength and stability of muscles and joints. Physiotherapy programs can be used to strengthen muscles and improve movement ability. People over the age of 65 are faced with diseases such as arthritis, stroke, Parkinson’s, hip fracture and various musculoskeletal diseases. These diseases can be prevent or control by using physiotherapy services. In the physiotherapy of the elderly, certain treatment methods are used to reduce pain and restore range of motion. The Improving the movement ability of the elderly with physiotherapy are presented in this article.
The importance of improving motor ability in the elderly with physiotherapy
Aging is associated with muscle weakness and body function and can cause problems and risks for the elderly. Physiotherapy improves movement ability, balance, pain reduction, daily function and cardiovascular function with specialized and applied methods. The importance of physiotherapy in the elderly are:
- Increasing body metabolism
By using resistance and endurance exercises, the body metabolism of the elderly can be increase. As a result, it improves the functioning of the heart and blood vessels, the respiratory system and the digestive system. Regular exercises will increase oxygen supply, reduce fatigue and improve the quality of sleep of the elderly. In this way, the possibility of contracting chronic diseases is reduce.
- Reduction of osteoporosis
The elderly can prevent osteoporosis if they do regular rehabilitation exercises and increase mobility. Mobility increases the range of motion of the elderly and eliminates the complications caused by osteoporosis. Exercises should be done in a rehabilitation center under the supervision of a physiotherapist.
- Increasing balance
One of the most important topics for the elderly is increasing the balance and coordination of the motor organs. Increasing age reduces balance and increases the risk of falling. Therefore, the physiotherapist uses balance movements to increase the strength of muscles and joints. As the amount of balance increases, the quality of walking and movement control improves.
- Movement improvement
Exercises that contribute to muscle strength, maintaining balance and stability are use to improve movement ability. Gentle aerobic and flexibility exercises are among the best physiotherapy methods that improve movement performance. In this case, the elderly reduce the risk of falling and move freely.
- Regulation of blood pressure
One of the biggest problems among the elderly is high blood pressure. Regularly performing activities such as controlled breathing exercises, deep breathing exercises and muscle strength exercises reduce blood pressure.
Benefits of physical therapy in the elderly
Physiotherapy programs not only improve mobility in the elderly; Rather, they bring many advantages and positive effects for this group of people. These benefits include:
Improve back pain
One of the most uncomfortable pains in the elderly occurs in the lower back, the main cause of which is old age or injury due to an accident. Physiotherapy can improve problems such as back pain and lumbar disc.
Improve leg and knee muscles
Muscle shortening and pain are common among the elderly. This condition causes problems such as leg pain and knee pain, and makes it difficult for the elderly to travel. By providing the best exercises, the expert physiotherapist will increase the ability of the leg and knee muscles and eliminate the need for crutches for the elderly.
Reduce sciatica pain
By doing physical therapy exercises continuously, the pain caused by the sciatic nerve gradually decreases.
Prevent joint dryness
Immobility in the elderly causes a decrease in the range of motion and as a result the joints become dry. Physiotherapy exercises are very effective in stimulating the joints and removing their dryness.
Reduce spinal curvature
Another side effect of aging is the deviation of the spine. By performing sports activities, the deviation of the spine can be reduce or completely remove.
Arthritis treatment
Physiotherapy exercises are very effective in the treatment of arthritis. For this purpose, programs such as water sports, electrical stimulation and heat therapy are used.