Did you know the World Health Organization reports that insufficient physical activity is one of the leading risk factors for death worldwide—and it’s a risk that increases with age?
Alliance Homecare understands the connection between physical activity and health. When creating comprehensive care plans for our clients, physical activity is top of mind and our care managers are trained to swiftly identify changes in physical activity and respond accordingly. For clients with musculoskeletal disorders or those recovering from surgery or injury, we immediately implement a physical therapy program to minimize the negative health consequences of inactivity.
In the case of aging care, physical therapy helps older adults build endurance, strength, and balance, all of which are critical to fall prevention http://alliancehomecare.com/simple-ways-to-prevent-falls/. In recognition of National Physical Therapy month, we’ve outlined a few additional ways physical therapy helps ward off the risks associate with physical inactivity:
1. Decrease joint pain:
It may seem counterintuitive, but exercising painful joints is actually the best remedy. Movement stimulates synovial fluid release, which lubricates and soothes the space within the joints.
2. Limits dependence on opioids:
Lower back pain is a common concern for our clients. Tailored physical therapy helps alleviate chronic pain, reducing the need for pharmacological intervention.
3. Delays cognitive decline by 36%:
In one study, people aged 65 years and older who were moderately physically active experienced less cognitive problems than those who were sedentary. Physical therapists often design exercise programs for people with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease http://alliancehomecare.com/training-and-education-for-dementia/ to encourage prolonged independence.
4. Reduces the risk of chronic diseases like:
– Coronary heart disease
– High blood pressure
– Type 2 diabetes
Moderate exercise under the supervision of a licensed professional goes a long way. Our partnership with Fox Rehab provides home-based assessments and individualized physical therapy programs for our clients. If you or someone you love could reap the rewards of physical therapy contact Alliance Homecare at 646-989-3936 to speak with our expert Care Managers today.
