Seniors also benefit from osteopathy. Seniors can develop any of the problems that a younger adult can. Often symptoms in the elderly are attributed to arthritis or the aging process and go untreated, but they can usually be helped with osteopathy. Osteoarthritis is usually thought or as wear and tear of the joints, but this is not the whole story. Often people have a lot of wear and tear in their joints, but no pain. Then they strain some part of their body, have an x-ray, and are told that they have arthritis and that nothing can be done except take drugs. However, if they had had an x-ray prior to the strain or accident, when they had no symptoms, it would have looked exactly the same. The fact is, it is much easier to strain a worn joint, and it often needs a very skilled and experienced osteopath to help them recover. However, most seniors do not visit an osteopath because they have arthritis; most come because they have stained their back, neck or shoulder etc. Philip uses gentle techniques suitable for the elderly to ease these joints back to normal function and relieve tight and aching muscles. He avoids using techniques that are painful, and only uses techniques on seniors that are totally safe. He never uses strong techniques that can cause a fracture in those with osteoporosis, and he never twists the neck, as this can cause a stroke. Patients have often said they they found their treatment to be very pleasant, and that since their treatment they are feeling better than they have for years. Philip can advise you on nutritional supplements that may be beneficial for arthritis. 

ACC fund Tai Chi classes that are modified for fall prevention. For information please click here.  

Download

Please click on the link below to download a PDF which has exercises that can help to prevent bone loss.   

Copyright © 2010 Philip Bayliss, Osteopath (Christchurch)