HOW IS CHIROPRACTIC CARE BENEFICIAL FOR SENIOR CITIZENS?
Staying healthy and active becomes more and more important as we age. Chronic pain is common among senior citizens as their bodies deteriorate. Fortunately, research has shown that chiropractic care can help the elderly in a number of ways, including by increasing mobility and lowering their risk of falling and other injuries.
Chiropractic care is helpful for all ages, especially for senior citizens.
WHAT IS CHIROPRACTIC CARE AND WHY IT IS IMPORTANT?
Chiropractic care is related to the neuromusculoskeletal system, which includes bones, nerves, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Through the use of spinal adjustments to maintain proper alignment, a chiropractor helps manage back and neck pain.
Besides nutrition and exercise, chiropractic treatments focus on the body’s natural ability to heal.
You may benefit from chiropractic treatment if you are experiencing pain as a result of the condition affecting:
- Bones
- Cartilage
- Connective tissue
- Joints
- Muscles
Depending on the specific problem you’re experiencing, chiropractic treatment may focus on various parts of your body and your spine. Chiropractic may treat physical issues related to sciatica, lower back pain, headaches, neck pain, repetitive strains, injuries from car accidents and sports, and arthritic pain.
Chiropractic treatment is similar to physical therapy. In order to treat your problems, chiropractors are more likely to use manual manipulations. Physical therapists typically place more emphasis on stretching and exercise-based injury rehabilitation.
BENEFITS OF CHIROPRACTIC CARE FOR SENIOR CITIZENS
Seniors suffering from decreased mobility can benefit from chiropractic care. Depending on the patient’s needs, results may vary. Chiropractic and physical therapy may help people with more severe mobility issues regain strength.
Improved circulation and removal of toxins are two benefits of proper spine alignment for a stronger immune system.
Poor balance and decreased coordination are common problems for elderly persons. The brain receives information about the location of our limbs in space through small receptors located at the base of our cervical spine. These receptors gradually become less efficient, which can lead to unstable balance and the risk of falling. Chiropractic therapy has been shown to improve the spine’s communication, activating the receptors and enhancing their ability to perform at a higher level.
Most people find chiropractic treatment to be safe and effective. Treatment options can be modified to meet patients’ unique requirements, conditions and preferences.
Keeping your joints and spine in proper alignment as you age is important for your overall health. For chiropractic care, connect with Zenith.
BENEFITS OF CHIROPRACTIC CARE
- Back pain- For the treatment of acute or chronic back pain, chiropractic care may be a useful alternative for more invasive procedures like surgery or injections.
- Osteoarthritis symptoms- Degeneration of cartilage in a joint causes the ends of your bones to rub together, leading to osteoarthritis pain. By improving the condition of the joint capsule, bone, and cartilage, chiropractic manipulation may help slow the development of arthritis.
- Headache symptoms – Tension headaches and neck-originating headaches may be effectively treated with spinal manipulation.
- Affordable treatment – For chronic low back pain, chiropractic treatment may be a cheaper alternative to conventional therapy.
- Poor posture- Chiropractic treatment may improve your posture, especially if you spend too much time sitting.
- Increases circulation- Chiropractic care is also beneficial for the central nervous system. Chiropractic adjustment can improve circulation and reduce nervous disorders and symptoms.
- Range of Motion- Different treatment methods are used to treat a person’s range of motion. It can take several sessions to see the desired effect, but the result will be worth the effect.
- Neck Pain- Neck problem is common due to poor posture or after long hours of sitting. A chiropractor may be able to reduce your neck pain by realigning your spine and relaxing your neck muscles.
- Opioid pain reliever- Opioid painkillers are usually prescribed to people with chronic pain in order to help them manage their discomfort. However, receiving chiropractic care might reduce your need for these painkillers.
When people receive chiropractic treatment, the likelihood of them being hospitalized or placed in nursing homes is significantly reduced.
CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENT SESSIONS
Chiropractic adjustment sessions vary according to injury type and personal goals.
For common treatment of neck and back pain:
- Week 1 and 2: 3-4 chiropractic adjustments/week
- Week 3- 10: 2-3 chiropractic adjustments/week
- Ongoing: Once every 2 weeks.
It takes time to change your posture, your spine’s ability to move, and the health and structure of your muscles. All muscles have memory, so your body tends to revert back to the old patterns instead of forming new, healthy ones. Because of this, adjustments must be made repeatedly. As your body learns new ways of mobility, the changes from adjustments will be short-lived until the new ones take over.
Immediate results can be seen with a single chiropractic session. However, this is not necessarily true for all patients or for every pain or injury. It is difficult to predict how your body will react without follow-up sessions.
If for any reason, you will not be able to continue, inform your chiropractor. Your chiropractor might be able to give you advice on what you can do at home to try to prevent discomfort from coming back.
Five common interventions that are utilized by chiropractic care are:
- Spinal manipulative therapy (SMT)
- Acupuncture
- Exercise or physical activity
- Nutritional counseling
- Fall prevention
Almost all Chiropractors use SMT in some way. More than 90% offer nutritional guidance and suggest dietary supplements. Most advise patients to engage in physical activity and prescribe therapeutic exercises. Acupuncture is also trending in older adults.
SPINAL MANIPULATIVE THERAPY (SMT) FOR OLDER ADULTS
Spinal pain is a common problem among seniors. According to some research, SMT may be crucial in treating individuals with spinal and peripheral joint pain and related dysfunction.
Acupuncture
This includes, but is not limited to, deep intramuscular electrical stimulation, trigger point deactivation, auricular acupuncture, traditional Chinese acupuncture, and percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in the context of managing low back pain.
Nutritional counseling for seniors
According to research, a large percentage of elderly persons do not get enough micronutrients on a daily basis. According to studies, health promotion counseling and diet improvement are two prevention techniques that can significantly reduce disability, enhance the quality of life, and lower health care costs.
Exercises
The majority of chiropractors report using therapeutic exercise in their treatments. Physical activities and exercises are frequently advised for older adults. Exercise is usually advised in this population due to painful functional limitations and muscle loss (sarcopenia).
Aerobic exercise and strength training improves strength, balance, and physical function, according to recent studies.
Fall Prevention
Among older adults, falls can result in decreased quality of life, disability, and/or death. A third of people aged 65 and older fall each year, and falls cause the majority of unintentional injuries and deaths in this age group. Fall risk is increased when musculoskeletal pain influences balance, gait, and daily activities.
It is advised to visit an experienced and licensed Chiropractor to minimize any risk. At Zenith we have experienced specialists, which will assist with quality treatment. To book an appointment, call us at 972-210-0033.