“I’m just not as steady as I once
was.”
This isn’t an unusual conversation
starter at Chiropractic Spine Sports And Rehabilitation from our Tonawanda chiropractic patients
and/or their loved ones. Balance is
vital to avert falls and
associated problems that may come with it…like
breaking something! Chiropractic Spine Sports And Rehabilitation presents some news
about fall prevention and balance enhancement
with spinal manipulation and balance practice.
BALANCE AND AGING
The 50s bring some noticeable changes
particularly in terms of balance. Such
changes in balance also boost the risk for falling and other
health concerns. A report of 1702 people between 51 and 75 years
of age who had no problems with walking found that 20.4% could
not do a 10 second one-legged-stand which managed
to intensify the risk of all-cause mortality. (1) Not being
able to do the 10 second balance test was related to an 84% higher risk of dying within in the
study time (12 years). This observational study didn’t declare cause/effect but suggested a link,
a link that may encourage middle and older age folks to practice
standing on one leg every day! To be safe, Chiropractic Spine Sports And Rehabilitation
urges standing next a tall chair
to stabilize yourself if necessary. If today only 3 seconds are
possible, keep working on it.
You’ll do better over time!
(2) Once you see some improvement, you will
keep practicing! Proprioception exercises may help, too!
MORE ENCOURAGEMENT TO PRACTICE BALANCE
A research project compared how known “fallers,”
“nonfallers,” and young volunteers did on a force plate gauging
test for postural sway. None were different in transfer of
weight. Younger volunteers decreased
postural sway within 2 seconds while older ones never did and swayed the same
the whole time. Older “fallers” swayed significantly more. This specially designed
one-leg-stance test established who the “fallers” were better – 100% - than other more common tests
to measure balance – five-times-sit-to-stand (69%), timed-up-and-go (48%),
usual one-leg-stance without special parameters as in this research study
(62%). (3) Tests like these are quite helpful to your
Tonawanda chiropractor in evaluating baseline
balance.
ROLE OF CHIROPRACTIC MANIPULATION IN MOVEMENT CONTROL
A newly published paper described
the usefulness of (Cox®) flexion distraction spinal manipulation
for lumbar spinal stenosis patients by enhancing their balance
test scores - Timed Up and Go and Five Times Sit to Stand Test – and decreasing
postural sway and entropy (forward/backward movement) as determined
on a force plate. (4) That is so good! Between our in-office chiropractic treatments with Cox® Technic in the office and your practicing standing on one foot
then the other at home, we will realize how well we can improve
your balance!
CONTACT Chiropractic Spine Sports And Rehabilitation
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Nate McKee on The Back Doctors Podcast with
Dr. Michael Johnson as he illustrates relieving
chiropractic care and re-establishing balance via The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management for
patients with spinal stenosis.
Make your Tonawanda chiropractic
appointment now. We look forward to seeing how
much steadier you feel!