The 5 Top Benefits of Physiotherapy for Seniors

One part prevention, one part rehabilitation — physiotherapy is an essential service that can treat pain, improve mobility, and restore strength. Here are five reasons you should consider adding physio to your routine if you’re a senior.

1. Fall Prevention

Many people lose mobility and balance as they age, making it harder to get around safely.

If you feel unsteady on your feet, a physiotherapist can help. They can create a routine that builds strength, improves balance, and increases mobility. These three building blocks reduce your chances of experiencing a fall.

The importance of fall prevention cannot be overstated. After all, an astonishing one in three older adults (age 65 and over) in Toronto fall every year. According to national census information, these falls are responsible for 85% of seniors’ injury-related hospitalizations.

It’s no coincidence, then, that falls are the leading cause of injury treated by home care Toronto professionals.

2. Recover from Accidents

Sometimes, an accident is unavoidable. Even when you try your best to be careful, you can slip on a patch of ice or suffer whiplash from a nasty fender bender.

Physiotherapy helps you recover from accidents faster in the following ways:

Reduce pain resulting from your accident
Restore a greater range of movement should you lose mobility

If your accident makes it hard to travel to a clinic, some home care agencies like Integracare will arrange for a licensed physiotherapist to come to you.

This way, you don’t have to travel to a nearby clinic for treatment. Instead, you can welcome a compassionate healthcare professional into your home, where they’ll direct you through a series of targeted exercises and stretches.

3. Pain Management

You don’t have to be involved in an accident to experience pain in your life. Some people deal with chronic pain from lifelong health issues, like migraines, fibromyalgia, and arthritis. Others suffer from random acute flare-ups when they sleep wrong or overwork themselves.

No pain is normal, even as an older adult, so don’t feel as though you need a “real” reason before you deserve to book an appointment. Physiotherapists are prepared to help people manage their pain regardless of the “why.”

4. Rehab

Recovering from surgery or a medical emergency (like a stroke or heart attack) is much easier when you have a compassionate physiotherapist by your side. These professionals can focus on rehabilitative movements to help you in the following ways:

Get up out of your bed faster
Reduce scar tissue or swelling
Restore mobility
Lessen pain that often follows surgical treatments and medical interventions

5. Exercise with Confidence

Staying active is important for older adults. However, exercise may pose a risk if you’re only ever working out by yourself. While you may suffer a fall, there’s an even greater risk of injuring yourself by doing something incorrectly.

A physiotherapist can provide knowledgeable guidance throughout your exercise routine, acting as a spotter to ensure you’re safe with every exercise. If you feel self-conscious about working out in a clinic, at-home care in Toronto and other major cities can send a physiotherapist to your home. You’ll be able to exercise in the comfort of your own home.