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As a private Occupational Therapist, I have vast experience in helping people experiencing reduced mobility and limitations in self- care tasks. I have seen how a reduction in life skills in older people leads to a spiral down; to less and less activity choices and more and more care.
I strongly believe the journey into older age can be better. One great way is for individuals to work towards reducing the impact of very old injuries on the body- so as an older person there may be less pain and greater participation in day to day life.
I have heard from many older people who believe their ailments stem from injuries and illnesses from their earlier life. For example, the “older digger” who says his back pain is from carrying the unit’s heavy communications pack day in and day out – he now has bone on bone spine changes. At the age of 80 he will not consider spinal surgery and so manages the pain in less invasive ways.
Or the old football player who says “I played top level football up to my early 30’s; did my knee one year and towards the end I pulled up very stiff and sore for days after every game ”. Now he has had a knee replacement and back pain that just won’t go away.
Now, sound soft tissue, biomechanical and postural reasons explain how serious and prolonged injuries can affect the body long term. Old injuries can be managed overtime to reduce the secondary wear and tear to the body. Personalized exercise and massage programs can be valuable for older people. In my practice, I assess an individual’s past injuries to see what residual and compensation changes are still present in the soft tissues. Then daily exercise and targeted massage can be delivered via intensive rehab or a maintenance program – preferably before they hit “really old”.
I use the “grease and oil change” and “use it or lose it” approach with people because of stories like “the digger” and “the footy player”.
But it must be targeted: grease the right bits and lubricate the places that need it. This is why people approaching older age need an allied health practitioner who can offer personalized performance and soft tissue assessment combined with managing changes associated with ageing.
Tell your injury/ health story to develop your best health and wellness program in your older age.
Book in a face to face service with Denise at Alderley, Brisbane Australia
Author: Denise Stewart 30.1.2019
Director, Breast and Shoulder Rehab, https://www.breastandshoulder-rehab.com
Founder, GOLD programs4health, https://goldprograms4health.com/
Founder, Breast Cancer Rehabilitation & Wellness ONLINE Summit https://www.breastcancer-rehabandwellness.com/
Registered Occupational Therapist B.Occ Thy (Qld)
