by Tony Schuster, Spring Lake
So, you’ve been thinking about picking up a new hobby or skill—maybe it’s pickleball, jogging, or even tennis—but then that little voice in your head kicks in: “What if I get injured? Am I too old for this?” Let’s stop right there. Fear has a sneaky way of holding us back from living a full, vibrant life. But here’s the thing: You don’t have to let it win.
At the same time, let’s not throw caution to the wind and dive headfirst into something your body isn’t ready for. As we get older (and wiser!), our bodies do change—it’s a fact. But that doesn’t mean we’re destined to sit on the sidelines forever. It just means we need to play smarter, not harder.
Set Yourself Up for Success
Every year, especially around New Year’s, people jump into new hobbies or activities without preparation. After months (or years) of doing little to no physical activity, they suddenly go all-in, only to end up injured. And then the spiral begins: “Maybe I’m too old for this.” They convince themselves it’s not worth trying again.
Here’s the truth: The problem isn’t your age. It’s the lack of preparation. Giving yourself a fair shot at success requires understanding your body’s current limits and building a plan to safely expand them.
Learning the Hard Way
I’ll admit it—pride and ego have tripped me up more times than I’d like to admit. I used to think my body could still perform like it did 15 years ago. Spoiler alert: It couldn’t. Over time, I started noticing things like reduced muscular endurance, tighter joints (hello, hips, thoracic spine and feet), slower recovery times, and even diminished balance and awareness.
Here’s the kicker: everyone has unique challenges. You might have tight shoulders, weak core muscles, or an old knee injury. But these challenges don’t mean you can’t do something new—they just mean you need to approach it differently. Let's take the old knee injury example:
You have a torn meniscus that swells up and is painful now and then. How can we heal that without surgery? Well... we do have new injections and supplements we could do and people tend to spend tons of money and go here first. Sometimes it helps, sometimes it doesnt. What people dont think about doing first is fixing the mechanical issue that caused it in the first place. I see so many people with tight internal rotators of the hip. Why? Easy. Whens the last time you did hip internal rotation stretches or ever? If your hip is not rotating like it should, the motion has to coming from somewhere else...hence the knee, pelvis or back. When we get back the motion (thru not just stretching, but thru therapist assisted or band assisted joint mobilizations) theres less chance of you irritating the meniscus and remember just because its torn doesn't mean it has to be painful. Research proves this.
Why Physical Therapy Can Be a Game-Changer For Injury Prevention
This is where a good physical therapist comes in. We don’t just help with injuries; we can identify potential problems before they even start. By assessing your body’s range of motion, strength, balance, and nerve function, we help you understand where you’re starting and what you’ll need to work on to pursue your goals safely.
Here’s what we can offer:
Personalized Plans: No cookie-cutter exercises here. Everything is tailored to your unique needs and goals.
Injury Prevention: Learn how to avoid common pitfalls so you can stay in the game.
Motivation and Hope***: Sometimes, just knowing what’s possible is all it takes to reignite your drive.
And the best part? We work with you—not within the limitations of insurance companies telling us what we can and can’t do. Whether it’s virtual sessions or concierge services (if you’re in the West Michigan area), we’re here to give you the care you deserve.
Why Wait?
Here’s a little truth bomb: The longer you wait to take care of your body, the harder it’ll be when you’re finally forced to do it. And trust me, at some point, you’ll have to do it. Why not start now, on your own terms, and with the right support to make the process enjoyable and empowering?
We don’t just tackle the physical barriers. Fear, motivation, habits—they’re all part of the equation, and we address them head-on to help you achieve your goals.
So, what’s stopping you? Sign up now to get started, or take advantage of our free virtual meetings to learn more. Your future self will thank you for taking the leap today.
It’s never too late to start something new—especially when you do it the smart way. Let’s make it happen together!
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