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Don't Get Old

By Greg Jones

25/05/2021

We can't stop the ageing process...

Every week, there is at least one person that comes into the clinic and during our consultation will make the comment “don't get old”. This is usually related to an acute back or an element of general wear and tear and mostly in a few days or weeks their position might change.

Now, occasionally I might agree with them as I struggle to roll my granite malleable back and hips out of bed some mornings, but mostly I appreciate everything that I have and what I can do.

I’m not sold I want to be like Benjamin Button and age the opposite way, as again this will also have its downfalls. Ageing is part of life. With Ageing (or getting old) brings knowledge, understanding, memories and experiences. As I am personally getting close to the midlife milestone of the big ‘four-0’, I can say without getting a little ‘older’ I would not have all these awesome memories and experiences.

Now getting old is a mentality to some extent. Degenerative joints and acute injuries can be limiting for a period of time, but mostly there is always something that you can improve or reduce your pain, stiffness and daily functional capacity.

As a Physiotherapist of 18 years I have seen a lot in my time and I can say, getting old is often not the main cause. Yes, joints can wear out, but there is ample evidence to show that an effective program designed specific to the individual can improve a person’s outcome significantly. Your pain can decrease and you might even feel that spring in your step after focusing on yourself.

If you are twenty years old, you often will have a different baseline of flexibility in your muscles, tendons, and bones. And yes, you might bounce back a little faster than someone double that age after an injury. As you get older a protein in your body call elastin degrades and reduces. As you begin to hit that middle-aged frontier (and beyond) and want to maintain that active lifestyle, it is very important to maintain some regular specific exercise suited to your body to maintain your strength and flexibility.

Your body is constantly changing and adapting to the stresses and strains you put on it. Do less and you get weaker, stiffer and often more pain. Do more and you will build muscle, strength and reduce your pain levels. If you don't know where to start, book an appointment with one of our awesome Physiotherapists or Exercise Physiologist to develop an individualised program specific to your needs, lifestyle and goals.

In the meantime... Don't get old, get moving!