 By: Dr. Beth Templin
Some exciting research has come out on the effectiveness of intense exercise for aging adults. Even though it may seem like a dangerous idea to work out at a high level of effort when you're "old", the truth is that it can be one of the most beneficial types of activity you can participate in.  By: Dr. Beth Templin
It may seem strange, but your hand strength is closely related to how long you will live. What is that? Grip strength is considered to be a "biomarker" for the aging population. Biomarkers provide the individual and their medical team with a measurable indication of overall health.  By: Dr. Beth Templin
Back pain is one of the most common pain issues affecting older adults. It's concerning because it often results in disability and loss of independence if left unaddressed. Why are aging adults more prone to back pain issues as they age? We commonly see two major factors that play a role in creating back pain. The first is weakness of your core muscles.  By: Dr. Beth Templin
Many people are fearful of having a fall as they age. Did you know there are warning signs you can look for that let you know your balance isn't as good as it used to be? The following signs are slow changes that happen over time and can lead to someone losing their balance and not being able to successfully catch themselves.  By: Dr. Beth Templin
Most older adults I talk with about falling are more concerned with getting up from the floor than about the actual fall. To me, that seems a little backward. Shouldn't they be more worried about the fall itself? About possibly injuring themselves? As I started asking more questions about this thought process, I heard so many stories about people who have fallen and had no major injuries but were unable to get up from the floor by themselves.  By: Dr. Beth Templin
Our feet and ankles play a huge role in our ability to stay upright. They are the foundation for good balance in our bodies. As we age, it's common for the foot and ankle to become weaker and less flexible. This can change the structure of the foot, which affects the way the foot works. When this happens, the feet aren't as effective as they should be and the risk for falls increases. Let's take a look at some of the more common foot and ankle issues that happen with age and what you can do to address them.  By: Dr. Beth Templin
Knee pain, stiffness, and weakness are some of the most common complaints of "old age". Why is that? The knee is the largest joint in the body and bears much of our weight during daily activities. If the knee joint loses its flexibility, becomes weak, or is out of alignment, it leads to pain, swelling, and loss of function.  By: Dr. Beth Templin
As we age, we experience changes in our bodies. While some are due to the aging process itself, more often we experience these changes because of decreased physical activity in our every day lives. As far as our hips are concerned, pain is the biggest issue we see as we age. The cause of this discomfort is from the "wear and tear" we place on the joints over time. You can delay or lessen the impact of this "wear and tear" by keeping your joints healthy. The best way to do this is to maintain good strength and alignment of your hips.  By: Dr. Beth Templin
April is Parkinson's awareness month and this is the perfect opportunity to highlight why exercise is so vital to those living with Parkinson's Disease (PD). The relationship between PD and exercise has been well researched. What's been found is that not all exercises are created equal. In a previous article, we discussed the importance of having certain key principles incorporated into your exercise routine. They were high effort, complex movements, whole body activities that work on upright posture and big movements. So why are those recommended?  By: Dr. Beth Templin
As you age, your body may experience some predictable changes. One of those changes is in your shoulders. Many people begin to experience stiffness and pain in their shoulders. This starts to affect their ability to perform every day activities like reaching overhead, washing their hair, fastening a bra or putting on a coat. Though it may be common with age, developing shoulder issues is not a normal or inevitable part of the aging process. Most often, these issues are caused by weakness and lack of flexibility from several years of declining use of the shoulders. Fortunately, there are activities you can perform to prevent these issues from developing or worsening. |
AUTHORDr. Beth helps adults 55+ maximize their independence and fitness, so they can continue to enjoy a full and active life. Archives
December 2021
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