Staying Active As You Get Older
Retirement can bring time for leisure, travel opportunities and interests to the older person. This is the time to take up those sports and activities that you never had time for whilst working and bringing up your family – golf, gardening, badminton, fitness classes… The body, however, has changed. It has lost some of its elasticity and ability to adapt. It has also experienced injuries and postural stress over the years, often resulting in repetitive strain injuries, stiffness and degenerative changes.
The onset of health issues such as high blood pressure, digestive and circulatory disorders and arthritis may have begun to have a noticeable effect on the body’s energy and ability to perform. Many grandparents also help working parents by caring for their grandchildren – a pleasure for many but also a strain on the older body. Quality of life is especially important for this age group when there are increasing concerns about loss of independence and mobility.
Tips
- Gentle daily stretching to help maintain tissue elasticity and joint mobility
- Walk as much as possible to keep circulation healthy and maintain muscle tone
- The use of trainers or similar footwear can help to reduce wear and tear to the knee and hip joints, and can also help reduce back pain when walking on hard pavements
Keeping healthy
In conjunction with a healthy diet and regular exercise, Osteopathy can help greatly during the ‘golden years’. An osteopath will take a full case history, then, after a full examination and assessment the osteopath will be able to offer treatment and advice to help improve mobility, circulation and immune function as well as reduce joint stiffness. The treatment is usually very gentle and dietary advice may also be given to help maintain healthy bones and joints.
Nicholas Coysh Osteopathy & Wellbeing, 5 Eastbrook, Manleys Hill, Storrington, RH20 4BW
Mobile: 07817 934270
Clinic: 01903 368120
Email: nc@nicholascoysh-osteopath.co.uk
Web: www.nicholascoysh-osteopath.co.uk
*£10 off for new clients on your initial consultation when mentioning this article on booking.
