As we age, staying active becomes more and more important when it comes to maintaining our physical and mental well-being. The National Institute on Aging has recommended 30 minutes of moderate physical activity a day, at least four or five days a week, for seniors. Even if you break up the activity into 10-minute segments, just do it! The orthopedist at Nutley Orthopaedic Group encourages our senior patients to get and stay active, and to keep the word “moderate” in mind, especially when just getting started with an exercise program.
Arthritis is one of the main complaints among older patients who visit our practice, leading to pain in the joints — most commonly in the knees, hips, spine and hands. But it’s important to note that exercising can strengthen not only the joints but the surrounding muscles, which can reduce pain and stiffness. Swimming, walking and everyday tasks like working outside in the yard or garden are low-impact activities that can yield results.
For people diagnosed with osteoporosis or osteopenia because of a loss of bone density, weight-bearing exercises like walking, jogging and lifting weights can help stimulate bone growth and promote healthy bones.
Remember, the benefits of physical activity will fade quickly when we stop, so our orthopedist suggests starting slowly and building up the difficulty of the exercise incrementally to avoid soreness or an injury that puts you on the sidelines. A visit to our orthopedist will include a thorough examination and evaluation that will help set the agenda for what types of activities and exercises are recommended for you.
Our practice at Nutley Orthopaedic Group provides state-of-the-art diagnoses and treatment for disorders of the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles. But we’re also focused on prevention, and one of the best ways to prevent or slow down age-related conditions like arthritis and osteoporosis or osteopenia is to keep moving! Please don’t hesitate to contact us today for an appointment.
