Gaining Strength

Strength training offers seniors, in particular, the ability to sidestep frailty, disability, and the loss of independence that often accompanies aging. Despite widespread acknowledgment of strength training’s benefits, however, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that there has been only a slight increase in the percentage of people who have added strength training to their exercise routine in recent years. In the United States, slightly less than 22 percent of adult men and 18 percent of adult women engage in strength training twice per week. These percentages are well below the government’s Healthy People 2010 goal of having 30 percent of American adults making strength training part of their health regimen.

Everyone can benefit from some strength training, seniors in particular. If you want to start pumping iron, contact PERSONAL CARE PHYSICAL THERAPY today. If you are arthritic or have some other condition that hinders your ability to engage in strength training, a physical therapist may be of significant assistance. Our caring and experienced therapists can create a strength-training regimen that is tailored to your needs and abilities, so that you gain strength without hurting yourself. We can update your current program to be used with our equipment, home equipment, or at another gym. Call (928) 214-7430 today to learn about what we can do for you. Our office is located at 1515 E. Cedar Ave.

Watching Your Back

About four out of five Americans experience back pain at some point in their lives. However, with a few preventive steps, many episodes of back pain can be averted. The part of the back that is most vulnerable to aches and injuries is the lower (or lumbar) region because common activities such as bending and sitting place stress on the discs that lie between vertebrae in that area. To avoid low back problems, it helps to increase the strength and flexibility of the core trunk muscles. The stomach crunch is a good exercise for strengthening the abdominal muscles, which help support the spine from the front. A variety of fun core exercises can be done using an exercise ball.

Of course, preventing back pain sounds good, but if you’re already suffering from an aching back then you need to call PERSONAL CARE PHYSICAL THERAPY right away. Our physical therapists have helped many clients learn proper postures and body mechanics to avoid repetitive stresses at the spine. We will work with you to create a program tailored for your unique needs. We can also demonstrate a set of core strengthening exercises that will help prevent a recurrence of back pain. Call (928) 214-7430 today to learn more about our wide range of services or visit our office at 1515 E. Cedar Ave.