As you get older its completely normal to become less flexible and experience more aches and pains, but that doesn’t mean you have to put up with it. Being more aware of how your body is changing means you can make lifestyle adjustments to ease any discomfort and improve your condition. Nobody wants to be in pain so it’s time to do something about it!
Read on to learn more about how aging affects the body.
Reduced muscle strength
Have you ever noticed that older people have thinner arms and legs? As your body ages, your muscles get smaller and tend to get weaker which is a common cause of pain. While this is a natural part of getting older, low muscle levels can make you more fragile so moving around and doing daily tasks can be more difficult. Low impact exercises are great for keeping your muscles strong as well as massages and other treatments.
Joint stiffness
Joints are cushioned by cartilage, membrane and lubricating fluid so they do not touch each other. However, over the years, the amount of fluid inside your joints slowly reduces and the cartilage becomes stiffer, therefore making each movement stiffer. Your back, knees and hips are commonly affected. Furthermore, conditions such as arthritis and osteoarthritis can aggravate joint pain, especially in elderly individuals. To relieve symptoms you should try to stay active, keep to a healthy weight to avoid any added pressure on your joints and eat a healthy diet.
Bone changes
There is a reason why older people notice a change in their posture or experience back pain. Firstly, bones can change shape where there are undue strain on an area as you get older as well as become more brittle, therefore causing increased aches and pain. Hot and cold packs are a great way of relieving stiffness, but for more professional advice a chiropractor is the best place to go.
At Hillsborough Chiropractic Clinic in Sheffield, we have a team of qualified chiropractors and a qualified sports massage therapist on hand to help you manage your pain, joint or muscle problems. Whether you want to be more active with your grandkids or improve your flexibility, we have a range of treatments available. Get in touch with us for more information.
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