Osteopathy as a Safe Approach to Staying Active and Independent

Osteopathy Australia reminds that Osteopaths can offer treatment and advice to help improve mobility, circulation and balance, reducing joint stiffness and helping seniors to lead a more fulfilling life.

Tasmania kicked off the Seniors Week 13 October this year. The activities during the week include workshops, gardening sessions, tea meet ups, sports activities. Osteopathy Australia reminds that while enjoying all those activities it is important to remember that keeping mobile is the key to your health, happiness and independence.
It can be disheartening to reach a stage of life when you have more time for reaction only to experience age-related pain and stiffness that prevent you from enjoying this new-found leisure time to the full.
“Many Australians mistakenly believe that the effect of ageing on their body’s joints is untreatable and inevitable, and they have no alternative but to learn to live a lower quality of life with their pain.” – says Antony Nicholas, Chief Executive at Osteopathy Australia.
“As we get older, the body loses elasticity – increasing the chance of injuring the soft tissues and bony structures. The body also loses some of its ability to recover from injuries or strains.”
The effects of ageing on the body can cause symptoms such as:
– Poor balance
– General stiffness
– Back, neck and arm pain
– Hip and knee pain and stiffness
– Arthritis and joint swelling.
According to Australia’s health report in 2011-12 the age group with the highest number of injury-related hospitalisations was people aged 85 and older, at 10,945 hospitalisations per 100,000 population. Back problems and disc disorders affected about 2.8 million people in Australia (13% of population). The rates are highest among people aged 65-74.
Osteopathy is a form of manual healthcare that recognises the important link between the structure of the body and the way it functions. Safe, gentle and effective techniques aim to maintain your health, increase mobility, improve balance, reduce further joint wear and tear, and help keep you active and independent.
Osteopaths can provide:
– Safe, gentle and effective treatment to keep the body balanced an mobile
– Home exercises to keep you stronger and more flexible advice on nutrition
– Guidance about outdoor exercising, such as a daily walk to keep your circulation healthy and maintain muscle tone
– Advice about gentle stretches to help maintain joint and muscle flexibility and assist in preventing injuries
– Information about activities like Tai Chi, yoga or gym-based training which can maximise your balance and strength.
Moreover, osteopaths can work with other health practitioners to ensure a holistic approach to your health care.
Osteopathic treatment may go a long way towards relieving the distressing conditions. If surgery is also required, the post-operative recovery period can be prolonged and painful. Osteopathy can be extremely helpful during the recuperation period.
Antony Nicholas, Chief Executive at Osteopathy Australia: “In Australia, osteopaths are government registered practitioners who complete a minimum of five years’ university training in anatomy, physiology, pathology, general medical diagnosis and osteopathic techniques. Osteopathy is covered by most private health funds and by Medicare’s Chronic Disease Management Plans. Osteopaths are registered providers for DVA patients, as well as by workers’ compensation schemes and motor accident insurers”.