Osteopathy for the Elderly

Osteopaths work to restore your body to a state of balance, where possible without the use of drugs, or surgery. Osteopaths use touch, physical manipulation, stretching and massage to increase the mobility of joints, to relieve muscle tension, to enhance the blood and nerve supply to tissues and to help your body’s own healing mechanisms

They may also provide advice on posture and exercise to aid recovery, promote health and prevent symptoms recurring

As we age our spine starts to deteriorate and excess strain is felt over our joints and muscles. Many elderly patients lose their level of fitness at this stage in their lives. As a result, the elderly are more prone to injury.

Osteopaths consider the whole person, examining posture and the strength and flexibility of muscles, ligaments and tendons. Treatment is designed to alleviate current problems and to help prevent reoccurrences.

Nobody can reverse the effects of age, but osteopaths use their hands both to investigate the underlying causes of pain and to carry out treatment using a variety of manipulative techniques. These may include muscle and connective tissue stretching, rhythmic joint movements, or high velocity thrust techniques to improve the range of movement of a joint.

General releasing techniques are often used for the elderly to free up their movement and alleviate pain. The plan of care is based upon the elderly person’s age, condition, lifestyle and unique spinal problem

Pain killers are not the only solution for the aches and pains associated with ageing, Osteopathy can also help to reduce pain and stiffness and therefore reduce reliance on medication

Osteopaths will also advise on posture, something an older person finds harder to maintain. A good osteopath will be trained in evaluating whether a person is suitable for treatment for certain conditions, e.g. severe osteoporosis is not suitable for manipulative care.

Arthritis is suffered by many elderly patients. There are 2 types:

1. Degenerative (OA) is the most common and its cause is due to wear and tear of a joint in which the joint has become worn, painful and stiff
2. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), which is an inflammatory condition and is harder to treat. It is mainly controlled with medication

Osteopathy cannot cure arthritis, but treatments can certainly ease the pain, reduce the stiffness and hopefully improve some joint mobility in the less acute stages of arthritis.

Keeping mobile is very important as we age. The elderly need to keep joints loose and mobile to maintain their optimum capabilities. Osteopaths will often show patients exercises that the person can do daily at home to keep themselves as fit as possible

Drinking water is very important, as the elderly often dehydrate without even realising it and dehydration can lead to many illnesses.  Drinking sufficient quantities helps the elderly maintain the health of their joints, skin and kidney