“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!
"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."