Chiropractic for Seniors
Seniors are a growing segment of the U.S. population. By the year 2030, one in five Americans will be over the age of 65. This is partially due to aging of the baby boomer generation. A generation that has been known for their innovative ways and thinking outside the box. This is no surprise that chiropractic care is one of the most frequently utilized forms of complementary and alternative healthcare.
Seniors can benefit from chiropractic care on several levels. Most commonly, the senior population is looking for pain relief. Chiropractic care corrects misalignments in the spine, taking pressure off the nerves and often times alleviating pain.
As the body ages, it looses flexibility and range of motion. This is due to loss of elasticity in the joints combined with many other factors such as muscle spasms. Proper chiropractic care can increase mobility and range of motion to help with simple tasks we take for granted like turning around to look back when backing up from the driveway.
Another reason seniors choose chiropractic care is to help their balance and coordination. The body is constantly correcting its position and coordinating movements without us consciously thinking about it. Every joint in the body sends feedback to the brain informing it of its position. Chiropractors make sure the nervous system functions to the best of its ability, therefore improving the body’s ability to judge its position in space, also known as proprioception.
One of the most important reasons for seniors choosing regular chiropractic care is wanting to stay active. Taking under consideration less pain, increased range of motion, better balance and the many more benefits of chiropractic care, seniors can live a healthier and more independent life. Studies done at Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College showed that seniors who received regular chiropractic care reported being able to perform more strenuous activity, decreased intake rate to senior living homes as well as a decreased hospitalization rate when compared to the non-chiropractic control group. Talk to your chiropractor to learn about all the benefits chiropractic care can offer for the elderly patient.
