Murfreesboro Chiropractic Tip: Practice Balance Every Day !
“I’m just not as steady as I once was.”
This isn’t an uncommon conversation starter at Most Chiropractic Clinic from our Murfreesboro chiropractic patients and/or their loved ones. Balance is vital to prevent falls and associated problems that may come with a fall…like breaking something! Most Chiropractic Clinic presents some news about fall prevention and balance improvement with spinal manipulation and balance practice.
BALANCE AND AGING
The 50s bring some noticeable changes particularly 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 of age who didn't have any problems with walking found that 20.4% could not do a 10 second one-legged-stand which tended to increase the risk of all-cause mortality. (1) Not being able to do the 10 second balance test had an 84% greater risk of dying within in the study period (12 years). This observational study did not state cause/effect but proposed a link, a link that may insire middle and older age folks to practice standing on one leg every day! To be safe, Most Chiropractic Clinic recommends standing near to a counter to catch yourself if necessary. If today only 3 seconds are possible, keep working on it. you will do better over time! (2) Once you see some improvement, you’ll 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 determined the “fallers” better – 100% - than other commonly used 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 quite helpful to your Murfreesboro chiropractor in evaluating baseline balance.
ROLE OF CHIROPRACTIC MANIPULATION IN MOVEMENT CONTROL
A newly published paper noted the usefulness of (Cox®) flexion distraction spinal manipulation for lumbar spinal stenosis patients by improving 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 measured 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 see how well we can improve your balance!
CONTACT Most Chiropractic Clinic
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 Murfreesboro chiropractic appointment today. We look forward to seeing how much steadier you feel!
