How can I stay healthy as I get older?

Life expectancy in the UK has increased significantly over the last 20 years. However, the number of years that we can expect to live without poor health has not kept up.

Our bodies change with time. In the same way that we go grey and develop wrinkles, our muscles, bones, ligaments and joints will also age. Many people believe that this means that they have to accept pain and disability as an inevitability and that reliance on painkillers and anti-inflammatorys is the only answer. However, this is not necessarily the case. In fact, although joint wear-and-tear is commonly seen in individuals over the age of 30, most people are able to continue with a normal lifestyle without suffering any related pain.

How can your osteopath help?

Osteopathic treatment is a gentle hands on approach offering a package of care that is personalised to you as an individual. If you do begin to notice problems as you get older, your osteopath could help by working with you to keep you healthier, allowing you to enjoy the pleasures of life despite the natural aging process.

Arthritis is more common in the older population. Although Osteopaths cannot cure arthritis, they can help by reducing many of the common symptoms associated with the condition such as swelling, pain and stiffness allowing you to maintain an active lifestyle. They can also offer advice on prevention of common problems such as falls and reducing the impact of osteoporosis which are for some, an unfortunate reality of ageing. Dietary and lifestyle advice may also be given to help maintain the health of your bones and joints.

Remember:

• 30 minutes of exercises every day (intense enough to make you a little warmer without sweating profusely) can help keep the body flexible and strong. This might include walking, gentle stretching and swimming

• The use of trainers or similar footwear can help shock absorb and take pressure off knees, hips and the spine when walking for longer periods of time

• Have a rest during the day to recover energy for the rest of the day’s activities

• Ageing does not mean that you have to accept pain and disability

See our blog ‘Osteoporosis awareness and prevention month’ for more details

Lastly, don't forget, in the same way that you might visit your dentist to reduce the chance of a filling, or an optician to ensure the health of your eyes, regular checks with your osteopath allow potential issues to be detected and treated before they become problematic. If you suffer from occasional discomfort, consider seeing an osteopath. Preventative treatment and advice can be a worth while investment in your long-term health.

#osteopathy #ageing #gettingolder