Dear LPG

I have found that as we get older, our muscles tend to become shorter and lose their elasticity. Some movements deteriorate, and we often start slowing down and giving up our regular routines to avoid injury and falls. Being careful is fine, but we should not assume that aging necessarily involves a total loss of flexibility and inability to perform certain tasks. That can be partly avoided by doing the right exercises and stretching is one of the most important ones.

Stretching can help you reduce low-back pain, which is commonly a result of osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis.   Whatever we do we know that these problems are a consequence of aging and cannot be totally avoided, but stretching can help relieve the pain. Stretching helps us improve flexibility, range of motion, and elasticity to relieve stiffness in the joints. It can be very helpful, and it can also make it worse if we don’t do the right movements, so you should ask your doctor what kind of exercises you can perform.

Avoiding falls is one of the main reasons why we sometimes stop doing certain tasks, and that is understandable. We all probably know someone who fell and needed treatment from emergency services (or even surgery), and of course we don’t want that to happen to us. However, it has been proven that stretching is a good way to improve our balance and stability, which helps prevent against falls.

Poor posture usually gets worse with age. It can be defined by a forward head posture, rounded shoulder and upper back, and forward pressing hips. This can create pain in the back that can be reduced by stretching routines. Finally, dynamic stretching, a low-intensity form of stretching (arm swings, shoulder circles…), can increase our body’s energy levels, which, at the end of the day, will help us stay independent, social, and healthy.

I have found a few stretches on line which I hope that LPG will be able to share with readers.  They helped me to know where to begin.

HB, Blackheath

LPG would remind readers that there is no one set of exercises that are perfect for everyone.  We each have different abilities and flexibilities,  so checking with your doctor before starting any form of exercise is the best way forward.   Please find the routine that HB suggests below.

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