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Howard J. Luks, MD

Howard J. Luks, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon Sports Medicine Specialist

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Sports Medicine

You’re More Capable Than You Think

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Howard J. Luks, MD Published May 12, 2025 Read time: 2 mins

Getting Older Isn’t the Problem.
Moving Less, Stressing More, and Ignoring Your Body Is.

In my office, I see it every day.

Someone walks in with shoulder pain, knee stiffness, or a lingering ache that didn’t used to be there. And more often than not, they assume it’s just part of aging. That their joints are “worn out.” That exercise is risky. That slowing down is inevitable.

But here’s the truth:
Getting older isn’t the issue. The issue is how we respond to it.

Yes, things change with age.
Recovery takes longer. Sleep gets lighter. Tissues adapt more slowly.
But your body is still remarkably adaptable—if you give it a reason to adapt.

What I see far more often than overuse injuries are the consequences of underuse.

  • Joints that stiffen because they aren’t moved.
  • Muscles that shrink because they aren’t challenged.
  • Balance that fades because it’s never trained.
  • Bone density declines because nothing resists it.

The irony is that many people fear exercise will hurt them.
But it’s the absence of movement that causes the damage.

Exerise is the risk you take to avoid the consequences of being still

ME, 2024

The Real Risk Isn’t Activity—It’s Inactivity

Sure, there’s always a risk of injury when you move. But the risk of staying still is far greater:

  • Loss of muscle (sarcopenia)
  • Loss of power and balance (leading to falls)
  • Metabolic decline (insulin resistance, inflammation)
  • Poor recovery from illness, injury, or surgery
  • Decreased confidence, independence, and quality of life

We need to stop treating movement like a liability.
It’s a necessity.
It’s how we maintain control, strength, and agency as we age.


You’re Not Too Old—You’re Undertrained

Most midlife injuries don’t come from training too hard.
They come from asking your body to do something it hasn’t been prepared for—whether that’s lifting a grandchild, reaching into the back seat, or going for a run after years off.

So instead of avoiding movement, build capacity.
Train your joints, muscles, heart, and coordination—not for performance, but for life.
You don’t need to train like an athlete.
But you do need to move like someone who plans to stay active, strong, and independent.


Aging isn’t the problem.
Your next decade can be stronger than your last—
if you stop waiting for a perfect plan and start rebuilding, rep by rep.

Categories: Sports Medicine

Disclaimer:  this information is for your education and should not be considered medical advice regarding diagnosis or treatment recommendations. Some links on this page may be affiliate links. Read the full disclaimer.
Dr. Howard J. Luks

Howard J. Luks, MD is a leading orthopedic surgeon & sports medicine specialist. An expert in shoulder, knee, and other sports injuries, and author of Longevity... Simplified.

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Join the thousands of followers who rely on Dr. Howard J. Luks, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in Sports Medicine, with tools, tactics, and techniques for simplifying longevity.

Further Reading:

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  1. Tami Walter

    May 13, 2025 at 9:12 am

    I love this. Thank you for this reminder of the importance of moving our bodies and keeping them conditioned so that we can thrive and move with joy.

    Reply
    • Avatar photoHoward J. Luks, MD

      May 19, 2025 at 8:01 am

      Thanks, Tami

      Reply

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Dr. Howard J. Luks

Howard J. Luks, MD is a leading orthopedic surgeon & sports medicine specialist. An expert in shoulder, knee, and other sports injuries, and author of Longevity... Simplified.

About · Contact · Private Consultation

Remote Guidance Sessions
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Howard J. Luks, MD

Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine

128 Ashford Avenue
Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522

(914)-559-1900
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