If you are over the age 65 have you considered geriatric chiropractic treatment? Back pain and reduced or limited mobility have a negative impact on daily life. Simply getting through the day can be difficult, and every day tasks like self care and running errands are much harder to accomplish. If you are 65 or older and dealing with back pain, your chiropractor can help. Chiropractic treatment can lessen your pain and help improve your mobility, getting you back to the life you enjoy.
THE ROLE OF SPINAL MANIPULATION IN TREATMENT
Spinal manipulation is the manual movement of the vertebrae through various techniques and is used to restore normal range of motion, relieve pain and nerve compression, and help return the patient to a normal state of function.
Some techniques often used during spinal manipulation are:
- High velocity, low amplitude (traditional adjustments)
- Low velocity, low amplitude (gentle adjustments)
- Instrument assisted manipulation (Activator, ArthroStim)
- Specialized tables (drop table, flexion distraction)
- Soft tissue mobilization/myofascial release
Because spinal manipulation is a nondrug treatment technique, its role in treatment is especially important for for seniors. Pain medications and opioids affect seniors differently than younger people. For example, opioids, in particular, increase the risk of falling for seniors.
WHY FALL PREVENTION IS IMPORTANT
Did you know that roughly ⅓ of seniors 65 and older fall each year? Fall prevention should be taken seriously, especially if you’re 65 or older. Falls are the leading cause of injury and death for this at risk group. For seniors who have been hospitalized after a fall, the risk of losing their independence is great. In fact, 40% – 50% of seniors hospitalized after a fall will enter a nursing home.
Fall prevention entails many things, such as ensuring good vision with yearly eye exams, and removing or avoiding environmental hazards. However, it is also important to address balance problems, weak muscles, pain in the back, legs, and other parts of the body, as well as difficulty walking.
Because chronic conditions, like arthritis, can cause problems and pain for senior patients as well as negatively impacting walking and balancing, it is important to seek treatment that helps relieve stiffness, joint pain, and improves mobility. Geriatric chiropractic care can help tremendously with these issues.
HOW PHYSICAL ACTIVITY HELPS
Staying physically fit through activity and exercise is important for a healthy body. However, pain, muscle loss, and stiffness can make staying physically active extremely difficult. Receiving geriatric chiropractic care to help alleviate these problems will keep you more active.
Staying active has been shown to reduce the risk of falling, improve balance, result in better muscle tone, and increase strength. This all helps to keep pain and injury from occurring by strengthening your core muscles, back, and extremities. Unsure of which physical activities and exercises are best for you? Your chiropractor can recommend an exercise or physical therapy regimen that works best for you. Call or click here and contact us and schedule an appointment with our office today.
