Doctor explains why youre making old people noises even if youre not elderly

Welcome to Ask Doctor Zac, a weekly column from news.com.au.This week, Dr.

Zac Turner explores a common issue impacting millions of Australians.QUESTION: Dear Dr.Zac, I don’t know what is happening to me but in the last 12 months I’ve started to make what my partner is describing as old people noises.

Why is it every time I bend over to put my shoes on I groan? And why is it whenever I get up from the couch, I make a noise? Why is it when I get out of the bed? I make a noise? It’s really annoying.I don’t need to make these noises, and if I concentrate I can do the activity without the noise -but they creep back in later uncontrollably.

Why don’t I have the same energy that I used to have? What options are there for me to have more energy as I approach my 50s? – Justin, 46, Woy Woy, NSWANSWER: Dear Justin, Ah yes, the bitter symphony of middle age – the creaks, the cracks, the groans.You wanted a silent retreat, but your body booked you front row seats to the percussion-heavy matinee of “Man vs.

Gravity”.Let me reassure you: you’re not falling apart, you’re just … audibly adapting.And you’re not alone.

Millions of us hit our mid-40s and suddenly discover that bending down to tie a shoelace now comes with a full soundscape.It’s like your spine has joined a garage band and didn’t tell you.So why do we suddenly sound like a haunted rocking chair? Let’s break it down.These are your internal sound effects.

They’re caused by diaphragmatic bracing, which is your body’s natural way of stabilizing your core when it anticipates effort – like standing up, sitting down, or lifting anything heavier than your dignity.As we age, key postural muscles like the diaphragm, pelvic floor, and deep abdominals weaken.That means the body has to try harder to stabilise, and that extra effort escapes as noise – especially if you’re not regularly training those muscles.

Think of it like a rusty hinge: it still works, but it’s going to...