With advancing age, postural changes are very common. As people age, they often find it difficult to stand up straight for a longer period of time, like they could in their young age. This change happens due to a combination of psychological, musculoskeletal, and lifestyle factors. When there are postural changes, the body experiences alterations in body alignment, muscle strength, and overall posture.
Often seniors ignore postural changes, neglecting to enroll in physical therapy or personal training sessions because of multiple clinic visits. A Plus Care LA has the best solution to this problem. We offer in-home care for the elderly, which includes physical therapy. Remember, physical therapy plays an important role in postural training. Later in this blog, we will help you understand how.
Why should seniors have a good posture?
When the posture of elderly people is good, it promotes balance and prevents falls. Standing up straight keeps their weight distributed over the base of support of their feet, maintaining an equally balanced body weight and preventing the risk of falls and injuries.
If seniors play tennis, golf, or dance, having a good posture can have other rewards. Good posture can also strengthen their ability to participate in sports and other activities.
Lastly, good posture is important for seniors to help them walk throughout their homes or around their neighborhoods, rise from a chair, walk up or down stairs, carry grocery bags and even turn to glance at someone’s without risking a fall or injury.
Physical therapy for postural training
While there are many ways to improve posture in the elderly, physical therapy--especially when delivered in the comfort of your home—has the potential to garner great results. Our expert physical therapist perform patient visits at home and offer in-home health care customized to the patient.
Benefits of physical therapy for improving postures in seniors
Stabilization and strengthening exercises- When muscular strength is impaired, it causes additional stress in the joints, especially in the spine. Initially, physical therapists prescribe stabilization exercises to develop neuromuscular control. After these exercises show improvement, they introduce strengthening exercises that increase postural muscle strength, endurance, and performance.
Flexibility and mobility exercises- To prevent stiffness and maintain joint mobility, range of motion exercises with or without assistance are prescribed. With improvement in seniors, physical therapists suggest manual and self-strengthening exercises and joint mobilization techniques.
Ergonomic guidance- Physical therapists can help their senior patients adapt postures and activities performed on a repetitive basis at work or home, especially if they are reasons for postural stresses and musculoskeletal problems. They assess and modify ergonomics at home and, if possible, at work.
Muscle relaxation techniques- One of the important things that seniors with postural issues should learn is how to relax tense muscles and relieve postural stress. That’s why physical therapists recommend muscle relaxation techniques.
Breathing techniques- Proper breathing engages muscles that support the spine and ribcage, enhancing posture in the elderly. Physical therapists suggest easy and comfortable breathing exercises to promote better posture.
Contact A Plus Care LA
If you or someone you know is experiencing postural problems and cannot travel for therapy, contact A Plus Care LA for in-home health care in Beverly Hills. Our specialists will visit them at home to help them move and feel better!
Comments