World Physiotherapy Day: Reasons why physical therapy is important for elderly

World Physiotherapy Day is aimed at observing the contribution physiotherapists make to society in enabling people to be mobile and independent.

Physical therapy is a way to help restore movement and function in the body when someone has been injured or suffers from an illness or a disability.

It provides help when a person undergoes movement problems resulting from a stroke, multiple sclerosis (MS) or Parkinson's disease.

Dr Palak Dengla, physiotherapist at Aster RV Hospital, said that physical therapy is a science of locomotion, an in-depth study of how we move. The anatomical and biomechanical correlations between the muscles and the joints are analysed here.

"I have had many cases of low back pain who have been advised spinal surgery due to a Grade 3 spinal slipped disc but have got cured of back pain only because of 3-6 weeks of consistent physiotherapy," Dr Palak Dengla told IndiaToday.in.

Physical therapy has been proven fruitful in chronic lifestyle disease management like high cholesterol, hypothyroidism, diabetes, headaches, chest pains of musculoskeletal origin and hypertension.

"Mentally also, it rejuvenates a patient by releasing happy hormones like endorphins and dopamine post workouts," said Dr Dengla.

Dr Veena Nair, a Certified Yoga Teacher, suggested that physical therapy has become a boon for people because physiotherapists are key members of the medical society due to their broad scope of practice in cardiac, neurology, orthopaedic geriatric and paediatric conditions.

"Physiotherapy interventions can be implemented at all stages, like preventive, corrective and rehabilitative," said Dr Veena Nair.

Why is physiotherapy recommended for the elderly?

Physiotherapists have a vital role in working with the elderly. People above the age of 60 have specialised needs and often have more than one presenting medical condition at any one time, complicating the assessment and management of their problem.

"Physiotherapy helps prevent disease and disability, leading to a better quality of life and continued independence," said Dr Nair.

Dr Dengla added that as age advances, people can experience sarcopenia or muscle loss.

"Hormones like oestrogen, progesterone in females and testosterone in males also keep declining due to advancing age. These factors predispose the body to various diseases like joint pains, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, and vascular diseases," said Dr Dengla.

Besides this, it helps decrease the rate of depression, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease in this population.

Physiotherapy helps fuel the neurons, cartilage, muscles and joints, maintaining their strength and flexibility.

It aids in enhanced cardiovascular pumping and lymphatic drainage (removal of toxic products) in the body, thereby reducing the chances of carcinomas as well.

"Regular exercises increase balance and reduce the rate of falls. Choose hobbies like dancing, skating, and sports, which will assist the body to achieve movement. The more you move, the more alive you are," underscored Dr Dengla.