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San Jose Chiropractic Tip: Practice Balance Every Day !

“I’m just not as steady as I used to be.”

This is not an uncommon conversation starter at Chiropractic Solutions from our San Jose chiropractic patients and/or their loved ones. Balance is vital to avert falls and related problems that may come with a fall…like breaking something! Chiropractic Solutions presents some news about fall prevention and balance enhancement with spinal manipulation and balance practice.

BALANCE AND AGING

The 50s bring some hard to ignore changes especially in relation to balance. Such changes in balance also increase the risk for falling and other health concerns. A report of 1702 people between 51 and 75 years old who had no problems with walking found that 20.4% could not perform 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% greater risk of dying within in the study time (12 yrs). This observational study didn’t state cause/effect but suggested a link, a link that may encourage middle and older age folks to practice standing on one leg daily! To be safe, Chiropractic Solutions urges standing next a counter to stabilize yourself if necessary. If today only 3 seconds are possible, keep practicing. you will do better over time! (2) Once you see some improvement, you will want to do more! Proprioception exercises may help, too!

MORE ENCOURAGEMENT TO PRACTICE BALANCE

A study compared how known “fallers,” “nonfallers,” and young volunteers performed on a force plate measuring test for postural sway. None were different in transfer of weight. Younger ones 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 determined the “fallers” better – 100% - than other more common ways 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 beneficial to your San Jose chiropractor in evaluating baseline balance.

ROLE OF CHIROPRACTIC MANIPULATION IN MOVEMENT CONTROL

A recently published paper noted 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 reducing 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 during office visits and in exercise sessions of practicing standing on one foot then the other at home, we will see how well we can improve your balance!

CONTACT Chiropractic Solutions

Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Nate McKee on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes relieving chiropractic care and re-establishing balance via The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management for patients with spinal stenosis.

Schedule your San Jose chiropractic appointment now. We look forward to seeing how much steadier you feel!

 
Chiropractic Solutions shares new research that notes how those who can balance on one leg for 10 seconds at a time have a lesser risk of death.  
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"This information and website content is not intended to diagnose, guarantee results, or recommend specific treatment or activity. It is designed to educate and inform only. Please consult your physician for a thorough examination leading to a diagnosis and well-planned treatment strategy. See more details on the DISCLAIMER page. Content is reviewed by Dr. James M. Cox I."