When Is Geriatric Physical Therapy Right for You?

Have you noticed as you age that you have less strength, poorer balance and more pain? You may even find it difficult to walk or stand for long periods or climb stairs. You could have tender joints or pain in your body that discourages movement. When you visit physical therapy Phoenix, you may find solutions to these physical challenges.

What Is Geriatric Physical Therapy?

Physical therapists often customize plans for individuals based on their injuries, pain or needs. Geriatric physical therapy addresses several challenges that people face as they age. Because you don’t move around and exercise as much, you lose muscle strength. Your reaction time can decrease and you may lose coordination or balance. The goals of this therapy include maintaining or increasing your activity, preventing muscle atrophy and deconditioning.

This type of therapy also focuses on improving your coordination and balance to reduce fall risk. Your therapist wants to help you remain independent as long as possible by giving you the physical ability to do what you need to do each day.

You can also find neurological physical therapy, which helps you recover from strokes and injuries to your spine and brain. These treatments can also help you deal with Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis. Cardiac rehabilitation helps you increase your physical capabilities after heart attacks and other cardiac challenges. Finally, occupational therapy can help you improve your fine motor function and control.

Where Can You Find Geriatric Physical Therapy?

First, you can search for “physical therapist near me“ to find a local physical therapy clinic that specializes in geriatric treatments. However, at times, you can find therapists who will visit you in the hospital or outpatient clinic. Sometimes, they provide services to rehabilitation centers, assisted-living facilities and nursing homes. You may also get your treatments at home if you have mobility challenges.

What Types of Therapy Can You Expect?

Most geriatric physical therapy focuses on a few key areas. First, your therapist will teach you how to stretch your upper and lower body so your joints stay aligned and muscles stay active. You can complete endurance training to work your heart and lungs and improve your circulation.

Geriatric therapy works to strengthen your lower body and core muscles, so your clinician will help you learn key exercises in these areas. Finally, balance exercises will help you retain your stability as you walk, stand, turn, navigate uneven surfaces and just get up from a seated position.

Benefits of Geriatric Physical Therapy

Geriatric physical therapy has a few main goals. First, your therapist strives to keep you independent by ensuring that you can do what you need to do each day. Your clinician also wants to help you strengthen your muscles so your bones and joints get full support and you can move more easily.

This strength training also improves your balance, but you will probably complete additional balance exercises. Your coordination and flexibility should also improve. Your physical therapist may also help you with a pain management program so your quality of life improves.

If you haven’t searched for a physical therapy clinic near me, look for an option that specializes in geriatric therapy and find out how it can impact your life.