Are you over 65 and starting to notice your health isn’t quite what it used to be?

If so, you’re not alone. According to data from research bureau Statista, 17% of the US population was over age 65 in 2020, and that number is projected to go beyond 22% by 2050.

As you age, there are a number of health issues you may be at an increased risk for. As a result, you may need healthcare more often, and you may need to see more healthcare providers.

At Capitol Physical Therapy, we can help.

A physical therapist can play a key role as part of your healthcare team, keeping you feeling great until well into your golden years.

To find out more, read on below, or contact us today to book an appointment.


General Health Conditions Associated With Aging

It’s generally acknowledged that as you age, you’ll start to see physical changes.

These can include changes to your vision, connective tissue, muscle tissue, bones, and even memory loss.

While there are a number of different healthcare providers that can help ease your transition into your senior years, your physical therapist is one of them. Below, you’ll find some of the conditions associated with aging that physical therapy can help with.

Physical Therapy After Vision Loss

Vision loss is a common ailment that becomes more common as one ages. In fact, there are approximately 12 million people over 40 in the US with some sort of vision impairment, according to the CDC

Physical therapy unfortunately can’t do much to prevent vision loss. However, it can still help you.

Adjusting to life with vision that’s either diminished or lost altogether isn’t easy. A physical therapist can help train your balance system and better navigate your environment after vision loss.

If you’re struggling with vision loss, there is hope. Capitol Physical Therapy can help you adjust to your new situation and help you maintain your independence.

Physical Therapy For Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease that affects your bones, causing them to be more brittle and prone to breaking.

When you look at the inside of your bones under a microscope, you’ll notice a honeycomb like structure. This is how your bone maintains its strength, while allowing your body to expend fewer resources than if it were 100% solid all the way through. With osteoporosis, the gaps between the honeycombs become wider, and the pieces of bone that form the honeycomb structure also become thinner, as does the outside of your bones. All this combined weakens your bones.

Your physical therapist can help with osteoporosis in a few different ways.

If your doctor informs you that you have osteopenia, it’s the early signs of bone loss. Consider this a warning that if you don’t take action, it may develop into full blown osteoporosis. Your physical therapist will provide exercises to help you strengthen your muscles without putting more strain on your bones than they can handle. These exercises will take into consideration your condition, fitness level, and other health related factors.

If you’ve recently broke a bone as a result of osteoporosis, your physical therapist will work with you to recover properly. This can reduce recovery time and help you preserve mobility and strength.

In more advanced cases of osteoporosis, your bones can become incredibly brittle. It can get to the point where even simple daily self care tasks, or even sneezing, can cause you to break a bone. In this case, your physical therapist will teach you techniques and life hacks to perform your daily tasks in a way that lowers your risk.

Osteoporosis can be a difficult disorder, but there is hope. Book an appointment with Capitol Physical Therapy.

Physical Therapy Treatments For Strength & Balance

As you age, there are a number of factors that can cause issues with balance.

These include, but are not limited to:

  • Vision loss
  • Diabetes
  • Vestibular issues
  • Joint or muscle problems
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Certain medications
  • A newly replaced bone (ex: hip or knee replacement)

As well, weakened muscles and bones can cause issues with balance as you struggle to do the tasks you used to.

If you have osteoporosis as well as balance issues, this can be a dangerous combo that leads to a high risk of broken bones.

Whatever the cause of your balance issues, your physical therapist can work with you to develop new strategies that help you better keep your balance and improve your strength.

Physical Therapy Treatments For Osteoarthritis

Arthritis is the most common type of musculoskeletal disorder. According to research by Barbour Et. Al, nearly 1 in 4 American adults have some sort of arthritis, and osteoarthritis is by far the most common type. It’s also the one most associated with aging.

As a degenerative disease, osteoarthritis tends to get worse over time, and there is currently no known cure for it. However, a physical therapist can still help.

Here at Capitol Physical Therapy, you’ll work with a physical therapist to strengthen the muscles around your joints most affected by your arthritis, which can help preserve your flexibility and range of motion, as well as reduce the pain you experience.

Your physical therapist will work with you to understand your arthritis related complaints, and how it’s affecting your daily life. From there, your physical therapist will put together a treatment plan designed to help you reach your goals. Whether it’s something as simple as reducing pain or something more ambitious like running a marathon, your physical therapist can help you reach your goals in spite of your arthritis.

Don’t let osteoarthritis hold you back from living your best life. Book your appointment today with Capitol Physical Therapy.


Book An Appointment With Capitol Physical Therapy

If you’re reaching your golden years, you may be worried your health will start to decline. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Thanks to modern medicine, you can live a happier, healthier, and longer life than nearly any other generation of people in history. And your physical therapist can play an important role in that.

Book an appointment today with Capitol Physical Therapy.

Chronic pain or an injury holding you back? Capitol Physical Therapy can help. 

Book your free 15 minute consultation today