Osteopathy for geriatric care is often overlooked a possible treatment for the elderly. Whether you need to find someone to help a parent with mobility issues, or you yourself, require some assistance with your hips or knees. If you’re looking for a comprehensive, holistic approach to improving your elderly loved one’s health and well-being, osteopathy may be the solution. This ancient healing practice is known for its focus on restoring balance throughout the body – including addressing areas of tension and compression that can lead to lasting pain relief. But it goes beyond simply alleviating discomfort.
Osteopathic treatment has been shown to address a variety of geriatric conditions such as lower back issues, joint replacement surgery rehab, arthritis flare-ups, chronic fatigue syndrome, poor circulation and more. Plus, with an unwavering commitment to whole-body wellness from head to toe, osteopathy can provide invaluable support during this critical stage in life.
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to fall into the trap of symptom-based treatment. We rush to the clinic seeking relief for a headache, backache, or stomach pain, hoping to be prescribed a quick fix and get on with our lives. But did you know that treating only the symptom doesn’t address the underlying problem? That’s where osteopathic principles come in.
Osteopathic practitioners focus on treating the whole body rather than just one issue to promote overall health and well-being. By taking a holistic approach, we aim to identify the root cause of the problem and encourage the body’s self-healing capabilities. This, in turn, leads to better health outcomes, better quality of life, and a greater understanding of the human body’s interconnectedness.
As our population ages, the need for advanced senior care has become increasingly important, especially in osteopathy. The field of osteopathy has been rapidly advancing, exploring new developments in research and technology to improve the care given to seniors. Researchers are exploring everything from the benefits of osteopathy for those with dementia to the use of technology to assist practitioners in diagnosing and treating conditions commonly faced by older patients.
With the help of these advances, seniors can look forward to a future where they can receive the personalised and effective care they need to maintain their health as they age.
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Osteopathy – What Is It and How Does It Help With Senior Care?
Osteopathy – What Is It and How Does It Help With Senior Care?As we age, our bodies change, and we become more prone to various medical conditions. That’s why senior care is so important, and understanding the different avenues of treatment available is crucial.
Osteopathy is a holistic approach to health, wellness and medical care that focuses on the musculoskeletal system and its interaction with the body’s other systems. Unlike traditional medicine, which typically takes the form of medication or surgery, osteopathic practitioners use therapeutic techniques like massage and manipulation to treat musculoskeletal ailments such as muscle pain, joint stiffness, poor posture, and restricted range of motion.
By stimulating the body’s natural healing ability through gentle stretching and targeted pressure applied with hands (and sometimes tools), we can help people improve their physical strength and mobility—promoting deep relaxation simultaneously. Given the right conditions, it is based on the founding belief that the body can heal itself. We believe that the body has an innate ability to heal itself, and our treatment approaches centre around this idea.
We also consider the reciprocal links between mental, physical and emotional well-being. Osteopathy can be extremely helpful in senior care, as it can improve mobility, reduce pain, and increase overall function. So, if you or a loved one needs specialised care as you age, it may be worth considering osteopathy as a treatment option. With its focus on natural healing and long-term solutions, it’s no wonder that more and more people are turning to osteopathy as a way to take control of their health.
Osteopathic techniques use a whole-body approach to healing to restore the body’s natural balance and promote overall well-being. The techniques used in osteopathy vary depending on the individual patient’s needs and concerns. Some commonly used techniques include soft tissue manipulation, joint mobilisation and articulation, visceral manipulation, cranial osteopathy, and lymphatic drainage.
Soft tissue manipulation involves applying pressure to the muscles and tissues surrounding the affected area. At the same time, joint mobilisation aims to improve mobility and reduce pain. Visceral manipulation focuses on internal organs, including gentle stretching and massage. Cranial osteopathy manipulates the skull and cranial bones to promote healing and relieve tension. Lymphatic drainage helps reduce swelling and improve overall circulation.
With various techniques available, osteopathic treatment can be customised to suit each patient’s unique situation.
What Are The Benefits Of Osteopathy For Geriatric Care?
Osteopathic treatment can hugely benefit the elderly by improving mobility, posture, and balance. By utilising gentle spinal manipulation and massage techniques, we can help reduce pain and stiffness, making everyday movements easier and less painful. Osteopathic treatment can also decrease the risk of falls by improving coordination and balance, a common concern for seniors.
Osteopathy is a natural approach to healthcare that aims to treat the whole body rather than just the specific condition. We use our hands to manipulate the body, helping to reduce pain and improve function. Osteopathy can help with common conditions, including arthritis, joint pain, and muscle tension. We can also help with various systemic conditions, from pain syndromes and headaches to digestive issues and respiratory problems. We work to identify the root cause of these conditions and use various techniques to help alleviate your symptoms.
However, not all osteopaths are created equal, especially in senior care. It’s crucial to find a qualified practitioner with experience treating older patients. Look for an osteopath specialising in senior care, as we are adept at recognising and treating conditions commonly affecting seniors. Also, check if the practitioner is registered with an accredited osteopathic organisation and has the necessary qualifications and licenses. Doing so can ensure that you or your loved one receives the best care.
Practical Advice to Help Seniors Stay Active
Staying active is crucial to staying healthy, especially for our beloved seniors. Age should not always mean inactivity. There are lots of ways for seniors to stay engaged and energised in their daily routines. Whether taking a brisk walk around the neighbourhood, signing up for a chair yoga class, or even participating in a gardening club. Anything that helps them stay active and social.
Encouraging loved ones to remain active is essential not only for their physical health but also for their mental and emotional well-being. It’s never too late to start, and with a little creativity and some practical advice, seniors can keep moving and enjoying life for years to come.
Further Help
Osteopathy is quickly becoming one of the leading treatments for senior care. Combining traditional and modern approaches, osteopathic care can address various issues, from arthritic joints to muscle tension. The future looks bright for osteopathic care for seniors with new research, treatments and technologies that make it easier to access specialised care when needed. If you are caring for an elderly loved one, why not book a consultation to speak to us about the potential benefits that treatment could bring to ensure optimum health and comfort? Book here.
You can also do practical things at home to help encourage a senior’s physical activity levels, such as various low-impact exercises and support them through any challenges they may face. With appropriate preventative measures combined with specialist intervention, when necessary, we can all work together to enable our elderly population to live fulfilling lives into old age.
Want To Learn More?
The techniques used by osteopaths vary, applying their principles of osteopathy for geriatric care. They focus on restoring normal function by targeting structural imbalances in the body. However, all registered and accredited Osteopaths are well-trained and highly knowledgeable, making them ideal for helping with a wide range of ailments. But with so much information available out there, it can be difficult to find what’s right for you when deciding whether to try osteopathy for yourself or a loved one.
As you embark on your journey to learn more about osteopathy, many resources are available to help you dive deeper into this fascinating field. Whether you prefer a good book or want to browse educational websites, there’s something out there for everyone. Some notable books on osteopathy include “The Osteopathic Medicine Advantage” by Dr Lee and “Foundations of Osteopathic Medicine” by Michael Seffinger.
Websites like the American Osteopathic Association and the Osteopathy Board of Australia offer valuable insights and updates on the latest developments in this field. Podcasts like “The Dos That Got Them There” and “The Osteopaths” provide unique perspectives and advice from professionals in the field. But no matter what format you prefer, exploring these resources will undoubtedly broaden your understanding of osteopathy and its many applications.
However, don’t forget you can also book an appointment to come and chat with us and learn more about osteopathy and the services we offer in person at the clinic. Just complete the form, and we’ll be in touch.
John White
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