What Chiropractic Care Can Do for Older Patients
Chiropractic Care Offers Important Benefits for Older People
Staying fit and healthy becomes more challenging as you get older. Joints begin to ache as a result of years of wear and tear, while reduced muscle mass can lead to balance problems. Fortunately, chiropractic care can help you address age-related aging changes and protect your health.
Tired of Living with Pain? Chiropractic Treatment Offers an All-Natural Solution
As your muscle mass shrinks, your tendons and ligaments become stiffer, increasing your risk of strains, sprains, and muscle spasms. At the same time, you may be dealing with pain and inflammation in your joints due to osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. You may also be struggling with a herniated disc or neck or back pain.
In many cases, joint or muscle pain can be caused or worsened by misaligned vertebrae in your spine. Spinal misalignments stress your joints, trigger pain, and may increase inflammation and pressure on muscles, nerves, ligaments, and tendons. Spinal manipulations, commonly called adjustments, realign your spine and ease tension on your soft tissues and nerves, decreasing pain. Your chiropractor uses hands-on pressure or a small activating device to move your vertebrae back into their normal positions.
Spinal manipulation can be very helpful in easing neck pain, a common complaint among older people. In a study that appeared in The Spine Journal, participants 65 and older who received spinal manipulation therapy had 10 percent less pain than a control group that only performed exercises at home.
Your spine can become misaligned due to falls, posture issues, poor exercise techniques, and even stress. When you see your chiropractor on a regular basis, misalignments can be quickly corrected before they trigger painful inflammation. If you're currently taking pain medication for arthritis or another condition, you may be able to stop taking it or reduce your dosage thanks to regular chiropractic treatments.
Chiropractic Treatment Helps You Remain Active
Staying active is essential for your good health. Regular physical activity improves mental health, delays dementia, and helps protect against stroke, heart disease, diabetes, and some forms of cancer, according to BioMed Research International. Unfortunately, it's difficult to get enough exercise if you have stiff, painful joints.
In addition to spinal manipulation, your chiropractor offers other helpful treatments, including massage and soft tissue mobilization and manipulation. These therapies relieve pain and loosen tight muscles and tissues. After a few visits to the chiropractor, you may notice that your flexibility and range of motion increase. Thanks to your chiropractic treatments, you'll be able to participate in your favorite activities once again.
Your Risk of Falling May Decrease
Falls are particularly dangerous when you're older. Even a minor fall can cause broken bones and other injuries that may affect your mobility and independence. Spinal misalignments can trigger imbalances throughout your entire body. As a result, you may be unable to react quickly if you start to slip. It's much easier to keep your balance when your vertebrae are properly aligned and your muscles and tissues are flexible.
Treatments Can Help You Sleep Better
Getting a good night's sleep becomes increasingly difficult as you get older. In fact, 50 percent of older people report having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep in a 2018 review published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. Pain and stress can be contributing factors if you have insomnia. Chiropractic treatment not only reduces pain but may also help you feel more relaxed. Treatments increase your body's production of endorphins and serotonin, hormones that decrease pain and improve your mood.
Are you struggling with pain, balance issues, or other age-related problems? Chiropractic treatment can help you enjoy a healthier, more comfortable life. Contact our office to schedule your appointment.
Source:
Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine: Insomnia in the Elderly: A Review, 6/15/18
Chiropractic & Manual Therapies: The Role of Chiropractic Care in Older Adults, 2/21/12
BMC Geriatrics: The Profile of Older Adults Seeking Chiropractic Care: A Secondary Analysis, 4/23/21