Improve Musculoskeletal Health in the Older Adult at Physio Connect

A healthy musculoskeletal system is one that is free of disease, illness, and injuries, but Physio Connect say when you hit the age of 60 and above, certain conditions will affect muscles, bones and joints, tendons and ligaments, and tissues that help maintain the body's structure and form.

Age can weaken the musculoskeletal system, resulting in associated disorders, such as osteoarthritis, back pain, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, and other injuries that affect parts of the musculoskeletal system. However, you can do something to improve your musculoskeletal health at 60 or 70, and there are preventative measures available and certain activities that you can do to slow down the progression of bone density loss and strengthen muscles.

A decrease in muscular strength, agility, and endurance are a result of lack of mobility or prolonged inactivity, and this underlines the importance of exercise which is effective in preventing and reversing many age-related changes to the musculoskeletal system. Apart from strength and flexibility exercises, cardiovascular activities should also be included.

Over 60s should also eat a healthy diet which can go a long way in preventing diseases of all kinds and in maintaining their good health. A good amount of carbohydrates, fibre, protein, and heart-healthy fats should be part of your menu, aiming for five servings of vegetables and fruits daily.

It is also important that you take in extra calcium and vitamin D, which are essential to help maintain bone health, and three servings of vitamin-D fortified milk, yoghurt, cheese, and other calcium-rich foods will help you age without the bone loss.

You should also reduce your risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders by stopping smoking and reducing your intake of alcohol and fizzy drinks, as both smoking and drinking alcohol decrease the rate at which calcium is absorbed into your body.

Physio Connect have different therapies designed to help older people return to their normal lifestyles as quickly as possible, and these include geriatric physical therapy, cardiopulmonary physical therapy, neurological physical therapy, and orthopaedic physical therapy. The last one is what you need to help treat musculoskeletal injuries, such as fractures, dislocations, and sprains and strains, so for more information on pilates, physio North Shore and physiotherapy Auckland please go to www.physioconnect.co.nz .