It seems to be a
common thought process that as one ages, they naturally lose their muscle mass
and there is nothing to be done about. People think their joints cannot get any
better without surgery, or that they will never be able to do what they used to
do before; so movement and exercise cease. The thought process of society, is
to accept the rickety joints, the achy bones and the decreased range of motion
and live in as little pain and movement as possible. This however could not be
farther from the truth.
It is common
knowledge and scientifically proven that as one ages certain metabolic
processes change in their body. One of the By Products of thee metabolic
changes and possibly the most common term spoken by medical professionals when
it comes to the older population is muscular atrophy. Atrophy is defined simply
enough as wasting away. This translates to "muscular wasting."
Science has shown us that as one ages their muscle mass atrophies, or
decreases/wastes away. By the time someone is 50 years of age, their body has
lost 10% of their muscular mass (Mazzeo, 2016). As a person increases their
age, the rate of muscular atrophy drastically increases from as much as 15% all
the way up to 30% (Mazzeo, 2016).
The question
remains then what can one do to increase their muscle mass and/or prevent them
from losing it? The answer lies within the iron. Resistance and strength
training may seem like a scary thought to some - especially when joint pain and
discomfort is associated with movement outside of one's comfort zone.
The idea of coming
into a gym or 'lifting' weights is terrifying. One might be worried about
injuring him or herself or breaking a hip in the gym, much less working with a
personal trainer or strength coach and being pushed beyond your limits. And
these concerns are valid ones. But those are all concerns for everybody when
they walk into the gym or take part in a physical fitness routine.
Quite honestly
leaving your house and driving a car is statically one of the most dangerous
things we can do in our lives. But strength & conditioning for senior
populations is imperative. By coming in, doing properly programmed strength and
resistance training, a client can slowly start to increase their muscle mass
and increase their joint flexibility and range of motion.
The less one allows
their muscles to atrophy, the healthier they will be, the ease of activities of
daily living will increase and most importantly risk for injury will increase.
This is because most people attribute pain in their movement to bad bones, or
what we know as orthopaedic issues. When in reality most of the joint pain and
back pain people over the age of 40 are experiencing is coming from ailments
within the soft tissue. You see, muscle, tendons and ligaments suspend our
skeleton, and are responsible for the alignment of every bone in our bodies.
When muscles become weak and atrophied, imbalances occur between the muscles
which pull and push. When this happens bones then get push or pulled out of
proper alignment, and intense pain and aching can occur and overtime - serious
damage to the joint.
Nearly 70% of orthopaedic
surgeries could be avoided with proper diagnosis and resistance and flexibility
program prescription early on when symptoms of joint and back pain occur. But
what's generally prescribed is a reduction in movement. When in reality this
reduction in movement is further atrophying weakened muscles and causes massive
misalignment and incorrect suspension within the skeletal system.
Most patients that
believe they are a candidate for an orthopaedic surgery in the joint, or spine
could greatly benefit from a professional strength & conditioning regimen.
As little as two strength sessions and two flexibility sessions a week are
enough to not only reverse muscular atrophy, but can balance the muscular
system, realign joints and vertebrae, eliminate uneven pressure points
throughout the body and begin rebuilding strength, mobility and balance.
Look for a strength
coach, rather than just a personal trainer. Someone with medical field
experience, experience working with athletes, and also post-rehabbing injuries.
Ask them to assess your mobility and muscular imbalance, and your posture. A
Competent strength coach will be able to then work with your orthopaedic
surgeon to pin point weaknesses and structural ailments that need to be
strengthened and corrected. Most patients will notice huge improvement in as
little as three weeks of training and development!
As the saying goes,
you Use it or you Lose it! So find a Pro, and Get Moving!
Reference:
Mazzeo, R.
(2016). Exercise and the Older Adult. Retrieved 2016, from
American College of Sports Medicine: "acsm.org/docs/current-comments/exerciseandtheolderadult.pdf"
JJ Morris & his
Partner Kristi Marie Specialize in a Strength & Conditioning practice Known
as Neuromuscular Regenerative Therapy. This method of exercise incorporates
strength & resistance training, cardio vascular exercise and power yoga and
stretching which helps alleviate joint pain, increase range of motion and
rebalance the body.
In many cases
Patients once candidates for Orthopaedic Surgery report their doctors
retracting their diagnosis after 8-12 weeks of strength & conditioning with
S8 and the neuromuscular program!
