Seeking chiropractic care can be beneficial for people of all ages, but there are always risks when seeking a new healing method. Chiropractic care for seniors does have some significant pros and cons. Chiropractic care for seniors is possible and can help give them a better quality of life.
Many seniors experience back pain (over 6% experience debilitating back pain) so seeking medication or natural healing can be a helpful option. Spinal manipulation is the leading treatment for lower back pain, which can help limit other symptoms seniors experience. Whether seniors want to use chiropractic practices as a complementary method or prevention of future problems, Elevate Wellness can help.
Is Chiropractic Care For Seniors Safe?
The overall answer is, yes. For many different patients, chiropractic care happens weekly without any injury or side effects. Some patients do experience soreness or stronger symptoms of pain during their first few appointments. For seniors, some of these side effects can be debilitating or turn them off from chiropractic care.
Chiropractors are trained and know how to treat different bodily issues in a safe way. Chiropractors are doctors and often only adjust where you tell them to. Talking with your chiropractor about your goals and fears will help you feel more comfortable during your appointment.
Benefits:
Lowering The Risk Of Falls
Chiropractic can help seniors learn stretches and limit subluxations that can lead to better balance and leg strength. Utilizing chiropractic can help limit the risk of falls for seniors that have been falling more recently. Helping to improve posture and balance is a major benefit of chiropractic care for seniors.
Limit Symptoms Of Chronic Conditions
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Arthritis, Crohn’s Disease, ALS, and Cystic Fibrosis can affect people of all ages, but more elderly people experience chronic conditions. These conditions and more can be improved by utilizing chiropractic care and proper exercise. While chiropractic care and spinal adjustment will not cure these chronic conditions, they can help you or a loved one experience fewer adverse effects or have a better quality of life.
Cons:
Soreness Can Occur
After adjusting muscles or joints that have not been used in a long time, you may experience soreness. For elderly patients, this soreness can be more severe or cause extreme nerve pain. A chiropractor will work to prevent pinched nerves and give you instructions to limit soreness, but this is a potential con of chiropractic care. Especially during the first few appointments.
Bone Fractures Or Breaks
As we age, our bones can become more fragile and susceptible to breaks. Visiting a chiropractor as an elderly person could increase the risk of bone fractures or breaks. While a chiropractor is trained and experienced, there is always a risk when it comes to working with the spine or other fragile areas. For elderly patients with osteoporosis or other bone diseases, it is best to consult with a doctor before seeing a chiropractor.
How To Continue The Benefits At Home
Seeing a chiropractor regularly will help seniors have better mobility, but there are some steps to help them take at home to ensure the benefits carry throughout the week.
Making their home safer can help limit the risk of falls or injury and help them still feel independent in their own home. Clearing the floor of debris or tripping hazards can be a major place to start. It can also be helpful to move around furniture and come up with a more open layout for them to maneuver through.
Some additional things that can help after chiropractic care for seniors include:
- Keeping the home well lit
- Doing stretches or light exercises in the morning
- Wear shoes inside instead of socks and slippers
- Put things on lower shelves to avoid strain and step stools
- Get plenty of vitamins and sunlight
Chiropractic Care With Elevate Wellness
Dr. Simmonds knows firsthand how chiropractic can help improve your quality of life. Our office wants to help athletes, pregnant mothers, children, and older adults all have the best mobility possible. Whether you have a health condition or just want to prevent pain in later years, chiropractic adjustment can work for you. Call our office in Bountiful, UT to get started! We take most major insurances and our office staff is happy to answer any questions you may have.