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Physical therapy is an important component in the successful recovery of an individual as the sessions or treatments via physiotherapy helps to regain one’s strength, mobility, and flexibility. As people age, they lose their flexibility and strength and often tend to lose their balance. Hence, fitness becomes a great challenge for seniors. Physical therapy for the elderly can be a boon to seniors in order to retain their independence by improving their functionality, reduce pain, and increase mobility for better strength and balance.

How can elderly physical therapy be helpful for a successful recovery?

Although fall is the major reason why the seniors need physical therapy, there are a few other risks that elders can encounter. The following are reasons for which physical therapy for seniors can be beneficial.
  1. Recover from Fall: It is the most common reason a senior must need physical therapy. In old ages, even minor accidents can lead to serious injuries in elders and often end up with some bone fractures or other injuries. Also after a long stay in the hospital, they might feel weak and be prone to fall. Hence, elderly care physiotherapy can be helpful to retain strength.
  2. Reduce the risk of injury: Physiotherapists help or assist seniors to learn how to sustain their stability especially when they’re mobile. This knowledge can help seniors to avoid risks of injuries.
  3. Reduce chronic pain: Seniors can learn how to reduce the discomforts caused due to chronic conditions such as arthritis or osteoarthritis. Also helps seniors to counterbalance any future symptoms.
  4. Get rid of prescription drugs: Usually, the majority of the seniors would often take prescribed drugs to manage chronic pains. However, the elderly therapy by the best physiotherapist can help you cut off the need for such medications and provide cost-effective treatment.
  5. Lead an independent lifestyle: As people age due to their illness or some discomforts, we see that they become dependent on others. Physical therapy for the elderly can help them to recover from their discomforts and learn to manage their pain.

5 powerful balance exercises for seniors

  1. Standing on one leg:

    One of the most simple and effective exercises for senior balance improvement is standing on one leg.

  • Stand with your feet together.
  • Lift your left knee up to bring your feet off the ground.
  • Hold the position for 10 sec and then get back to the initial position.
  • Repeat the same with your right side.
  • Hold onto the wall with your one hand if needed.

  1. Weight shifts:

    This exercise helps seniors to balance their body weight.
  • Stand with your feet hip-width apart and put your weight onto your right foot.
  • Then lift your left foot and hold the position for 30 seconds.
  • Then do the opposite side

  1. Clock reach:

    This exercise helps seniors to keep them stable by strengthening their hips and ankles.
  • Hold the chair with your left hand and visualize a clock with 12 in front and 6 behind.
  • Stand on your left leg and move your right arm to 12 o’clock. Then reach 3 and 6 o’clock. Repeat with the other side.

  1. Eye-tracking:

    This exercise focuses on vision and the vestibular system. This exercise might make you dizzy. If you experience dizziness, then stop the exercise there itself. Continue after you’re comfortable to do it again.
  • With your elbow bent, hold your thumb in front of your face.
  • Move your thumb to the right as far as you can. Then move your thumb to the left as far as you can. Try to keep your head still. Follow with your eyes only.
  • Then move your thumb upward, and finally downward.

  1. Stepping side-to-side:

    This exercise will improve your ability to make a clear move by lifting your feet
  • Begin with moving across the room side-by-side.
  • Once you feel comfortable, then place small objects to step over them.
  • Once you’re confident, then move in different directions such as walking around each object, sidestep over the object, making a movement in the direction of figure-eight.
It’s never too late to start an exercise or make improvements to your current lifestyle. In addition to the above exercise, you can improve your balance by walking, chair yoga, and other strength training.
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