Jan 21, 2024 5 min read

The start of a new year symbolizes a fresh start, and for many of us, it provides a renewed focus on our overall health and wellbeing. Which is why so many of us set our New Year’s resolutions on improving our health and wellness, and thinking about how we want to age.

“There’s value in looking at January as a time to start fresh. To start some new habits that will serve us well into the new year and beyond,” Cliff Wonsettler, a physical therapist and owner of Wonsettler Physical Therapy &Specialized Heath, said.

Wonsettler stresses the importance of creating an awareness around the habits that serve you well, and creating an understanding of what habits are counteractive to the long-term vision you have for your health.

“It’s really an important first step,” he said. “We all have an idea of what we’d like our health to be, but until we get really clear with what those goals

could be, it can feel overwhelming and even maybe feel unattainable.”

Having a guide – like a physical therapist – can make a difference in your success.

“If you’re not sure where to go or what to do, you need to find yourself a guide,” Wonsettler said. “You’re not meant to do it alone.”

Building Strength to Overcome Age-Related Hurdles

We all start to lose strength as we age, but some people lose it more quickly than others.

“It’s important to understand that you can make small changes. It doesn’t need to be a dramatic overhaul,” Wonsettler said. “When you’re able to focus on making one small positive change for yourself, it can really help you achieve your goals.”

For individuals over 50, one of the first signs of dwindling independence is the inability to get up off the ground. Wonsettler said one of the most effective movements you can do to build strength is to squat.

“Squatting is one of the most foundational movements that we do as humans from the beginning of life until the very end. If someone can improve their squatting performance and strength, it’s such a powerful tool to improve a person’s function,” he said.

Working with a physical therapist will get you to the root of your problems.

“When you work with a physical therapist, they’re going to get to root of your biggest barriers as it relates to your strength. They can custom tailor a program that you can execute on your own.”

Balancing Act: Navigating Life with Improved Stability

Balance and strength go together as the two biggest factors that prohibit an individual from remaining independent.

“Balance and strength as so intertwined,” Wonsettler said. “If you have some strength deficits, its almost likely that you have an element of balance and stability issues as well.”

Struggles with balance tend to be less apparent because people avoid situations where their stability is challenged.

“Balance is an integral part of how to remain independent. The ways in which you work on your balance do not have to be overly complex,” Wonsettler said. “It also doesn’t take hours a day to start working on your balance.”

Understanding the root of your balance problems can help you overcome your barriers, and Wonsettler said his team can help.

“That’s what we do. We investigate and determine what is at the bottom of the balance problem and then use that information to intentionally guide you in a direction that will help you to improve your balance.”

Chronic Pain: A Mountain Worth Climbing

Wonsettler said one in four people in America suffer from chronic pain, and for individuals over 50, the number is even higher.

“It’s so prevalent, and I think that so many people think that it’s part of getting older and there’s some truth to that, but it doesn’t have to be the story.”

Too many people allow pain to determine aspects of their lives, Wonsettler said.

“For us that is such a tragedy. I think that a lot of people that experience chronic pain would never guess how much different life could be with the right guidance and the right wisdom. We certainly approach chronic pain much differently. We use research-based training. We use goal setting. We use movement, strength, and sleep hygiene.”

The Holistic Summit: Mindset, Diet, and Overall Health

The first step in any positive transformation is being receptive to change.

“It’s so easy for people that have had long-standing problems to focus on that gap from where they are right now to what they see for themselves in the future,” Wonsettler said. “Being openminded and receptive to feedback and information is a big deal.”

Making it a consistent practice of reflecting on where you started and how far you’ve come eases the process.

“You must celebrate how far you’ve come. Being excited and grateful is a powerful tool to pull you forward on your journey. It provides hope and perspective.”

About Wonsettler Physical Therapy

Wonsettler Physical Therapy & Specialized Health, located at 100 Wonsettler Road in Scenery Hill, strives to go beyond the surface level and gets to the root of what’s holding you back physically. Their dedicated staff offers one-on-one, specialized care that focuses on patients’ full needs. With tailored treatment plans and their holistic approach, they offer a unique individual approach.

“Our staff is uniquely positioned to help our patients excel,” Wonsettler said. “We try to understand what drives a person. We want to eliminate any issues and barriers and focus on what motivates our patients to help them reach their goals.”

To learn more about Wonsettler Physical Therapy & Specialized Health and how they can help you, call 724-945-5161 or visit wonsettlerpt.com.

Sponsored content brought to you by Wonsettler Physical Therapy & Specialized Health.