Berman PT - April 2021

Berman PT - April 2021

APRIL 2021

WWW.BERMANPT.COM | 239-431-0232

YOU DON’T GET OLD AND STIFF YOU GET STIFF ... THEN OLD!

One common lament that I hear from elderly patients when they come into my office for an appointment is that they must be getting old because they feel so stiff. Their joints ache; they’re not as flexible as they used to be; it hurts when they get out of a chair or up off the ground. Some patients take their stiffness as a given with advanced age. What most people don’t realize, however, is that it’s the other way around. You don’t get old and stiff — you get stiff, and then old! During my time as a physical therapist, I’ve never met a single person who was able to move as well as they should — at any age — who considered themselves old. To convey that in more explicit detail, I’ve had probably around 10 patients come into my office, all in their late 80s or early 90s who didn’t consider themselves old. After working with them, I agreed! Why? Because they all had minimal stiffness and soreness that many other people their age would have had. They weren’t old because they still felt young! Each of these 10 or so patients had three things in common. First, they were all able to touch their toes from a standing position. Second, they were able to do a perfect squat. Third, they were all able to balance on one leg. If you’ve been in my office before, you may have heard me refer to these three exercises as the “blue light special” — a series of exercises that anyone can do on their own to assess the health of their muscles, bones, and joints. A fourth thing that I sometimes add as “extra credit” is if they can get up off the ground without assistance. Do you feel like you’ve gotten stiffer as you’ve gotten older? Do you want to get the stuck or stiff parts of your body moving again, regardless of your age? Then get in touch with Berman PT and ask about our Movement and Strength Program — which you can participate in for 50% off the regular price this month only! Call us today at 239-431-0232 or contact us through our website at BermanPT.com/contact for more details!

Whenever I mention that last step to patients over the age of 70, their knee-jerk reaction is usually to say “I would never think to get down on the ground because I won’t be able to get up again!” However, if it’s something that you start practicing daily while you’re still a little younger, I promise you that there won’t come a day in the future that you won’t be able to get up off the floor after falling down. If you do that and practice the other three activities (touching your toes, squats, and balancing on one leg) daily, as well, you’ll never feel old a day in your life! If you want to get the stuck or stiff parts of your body moving again, there is a way. We’re offering you a chance to take part in our Movement and Strength Program for 50% off during this month only. If you want to avoid getting stiff as you age, this is without a doubt the program that will help you accomplish that.

If you have any questions or concerns, or you just want more details before signing up, call Berman PT at 239-431-0232 or send us an email through our website at BermanPT.com/contact . –Dr. Jake Berman

• 1 239-431-0232

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As people grow older, they’re more likely to find themselves at home with less company. If your family members live far away or you have physical limitations that make it difficult to leave the house, you may be at an increased risk of experiencing loneliness. This is why adopting an animal can be so helpful. Pets offer comfort and love, and many encourage physical activity. Integrating a pet into your life as you grow older can be just what you need to lift your spirit and keep you healthy. The Benefits of Pet Ownership A lack of purpose can take a significant toll, but the sense of duty pet owners have around caring for their animals helps them avoid this. The daily tasks of feeding, playing with, and walking your animal can help provide structure and bring meaning to your life. They also give you something to look forward to each day. What’s better than waking up or coming home to a wagging tail or loud meow? This is how pets help improve their owners’ mental and physical health. Studies also show that those who care for pets have less stress and lower blood pressure and cholesterol than their petless counterparts. You’re also more likely to maintain a daily exercise routine. FELINE FRIENDS OR CANINE COMRADES HOW PETS IMPROVE OUR HEALTH AND HAPPINESS

Humans have an innate need to be social, and without someone to talk to regularly, our mental well-being can start to deteriorate. Pets may not be the best conversation partners, but they may increase your social activity. Walking a dog to a local park every day, for example, can provide an opportunity for you to interact with other people. If you live alone, this simple activity can increase your social circle and improve your mental health. Find the Right Pet Before taking advantage of the many benefits pets offer, it’s crucial to consider which pet is right for you. Doing research can help answer important questions about which animals might be a good fit for you and your lifestyle and which aren’t. Finding a perfect match may take some time, but once that connection is made, there is nothing that will bring more joy into both of your lives. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a list of questions that will help guide you to the perfect pet. Take a look at CDC.gov/healthypets .

DON’T SLEEP ON THESE TRACKING DEVICES WANT A BETTER NIGHT’S REST?

Sleep is essential for good health. It recharges your body and helps you start your day refreshed and alert. With so many wearable devices and sleep tracking apps on the market now, you may be wondering if you should be tracking your sleep. If any of the following apply to you, you may benefit from using a sleep tracker. • You have difficulty sleeping soundly. You wake up repeatedly throughout the night, either due to environmental noises (a snoring partner) or a sleep disorder (sleep apnea). • You feel exhausted during the day. When you don’t get enough sleep at night, you’ll feel tired during the day and may have difficulty focusing and be less productive.

table. Many track your heartbeat and movement. It’s important to keep in mind that while sleep trackers can provide valuable insights, the >Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5

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