Fill in the blank after the phrase “middle age”. Many will say—crisis! Then, if you ask if the middle/golden years of life feeling are feeling golden, many will say—with a hearty laugh—no!
This creates a profound gap in life, especially “middle, older” life. Imagining a life of more, yet not feeling it day to day.
Do you wonder if this is as good as it gets? Am I already past my prime?
What about multiple joints aching, energy tapped out by late afternoon, sagging waistlines, pantry full of medications or supplements, calendars filled with doctor’s appointments?
If any of that feels too familiar to you, let’s change this perception around the “norm” or aging. Because as Dr. David Sinclair, PhD shared in his book, “Lifespan: Why We Age – and Why We Don’t Have To”—We. Don’t. Have. To.
As you age, you need to clearly understand what is going to kill you, shorten your life or rob quality years—what another colleague of mine, Dr. Peter Attia, refers to as the four horsemen in his book, “Outlive: Heart or Vascular Disease” (and complications such as heart attack or strokes), diabetes or other metabolic diseases, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases (such as dementia and Parkinson’s disease).
What many of my patients seek is health span—the desire is to maintain vitality, i.e. feeling healthy, strong, happy and fulfilled, not just more years of life (lifespan). More simply, to feel young again!
When your joints or back are creaking and aching, you feel anything but young, healthy and happy! Instead, you feel like a ticking time-bomb, waiting for things to get worse.
So, let’s go deeper on that point. First, here’s a stat that will knock those smartwool socks right off your feet:
The number one most likely cause of disability, mobility and lost quality of life as you age are none of the diseases mentioned above. According to research by the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI), the risk of persons age 65 and older becoming immobile due to knee osteoarthritis is greater than any other condition.
You can slow the rate of aging of your joints. For your information, that is possible with precise daily actions, and modern advancements in the treatment of osteoarthritis.
The “old way” of “treating” osteoarthritis does not actually treat the underlying problem. Anti-inflammatory medications, such as Ibuprofen or Naprosyn, merely manage symptoms. Cortisone shots squash pain and symptoms, yet, a 2015 study performed at Stanford University proved this treatment to be “toxic” to cartilage. Meaning each time that you are injected, you are likely killing the cartilage left in your joint, not sparing it!
Now, there is a light at the end of your pain management tunnel. The “new way” we are treating degenerative arthritis is with Orthobiologics. These treatments involve using cells from the patient, or possibly from donor sources, to target pain at the source and stimulate healing of injured tissue.
The result for many is a dramatic reduction in pain with extended longevity of their factory installed equipment!
Here are two things you must know if you are looking into these treatments.
You must find a reputable clinic with a medical staff having the perquisite training, leading edge technology and years of technique refinement and experience to deliver the highest standard of treatment.
They must also possess the knowledge to know where these treatments work best, or where you may be best served by seeking a surgical consultation for the definitive treatment.
To learn more about Dr. Tait and non-surgical Orthobiologic treatments, please visit origenortho.com.
