Benefits of Using an Osteopath in the Senior Years

Everyone knows that with age comes arthritis.  It is almost inevitable.  Anyone that has lived life to its fullest can appreciate that their body has been through many years of physical strain and stress.  Their joints and muscles have been taxed and the result is discomfort due to arthritis.

The knees, the ankles, the bones of the feet, the hips, not to mention the back and neck are all at risk.  The deteriorating body in the senior years amounts to much discomfort and stiffness.  Medication, such as pain relievers and anti-inflammatories will help to minimize the discomfort.  However, there is so much more that you can do to relieve this uncomfortable and downright painful health problem.

First of all, let’s talk about arthritis.  There are two common forms of arthritis, degenerative or osteoarthritis, and inflammatory arthritis.

Osteoarthritis, also called OA or degenerative arthritis, is the most typical form of arthritis in the individual who is in their senior years.  This type of arthritis is due to the strain and stressors that one has been through just by living life.  Heavy lifting, sports, improper posture, and previous injury accounts for this.  Good news!  There is relief from this type of discomfort.  One of the benefits of using an osteopath in the senior years is that they are very familiar in treating this type of arthritis.  It is commonly seen and many seniors have been treated with a great deal of success.

Inflammatory arthritis is another type of arthritis with a great deal of people being stricken with RA or rheumatoid arthritis.  This is a painful form of this and causes stiffening and swelling of not only the joints, but also damage to the entire body itself.  This form of arthritis will cause a deterioration of the immune system as well.  Although not easy to treat, many people have found relief and benefit in using an osteopath in the senior years.

Osteopathic doctors treat the elderly with either form of arthritis with treatment measures such as putting their affected extremities through range of motion exercises and gentle stretching exercises.  This type of treatment will loosen the joints and/or muscles and offer greater pain-free movement.

The benefits of using an osteopath in the senior years are numerous.  Seniors affected by arthritis have found relief for their stiff joints and muscles.  This has allowed many seniors to live a more active, pain-free lifestyle with greater range of motion.  Not only are they able to physically do more, they are doing it without pain.

Osteopathic physicians will also work with seniors to help prevent illness and disease through improving their overall health with nutrition, supplement and exercise recommendations.  These changes can help reduce pain and discomfort from current joint problems and reduce the risk for developing other medical problems such as diabetes, stroke and heart attack.  Through an overall approach to health and wellness, osteopaths can help to improve the quality of life for those who are living in their senior years.

If you are bothered by arthritis or any type of joint or muscle injury, consider being seen for an evaluation and possible treatment by an osteopathic doctor.

This could be one of the best things that you do for your health.

RESOURCES

University of Maryland Medical Center: Osteopathy
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/osteopathy-000358.htm

MedlinePlus: Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002020.htm

American Osteopathic Association
http://www.osteopathic.org/Pages/default.aspx

American Academy of Osteopathy
http://www.academyofosteopathy.org/