“I’m just not as steady as I once
was.”
This isn’t an uncommon conversation
starter at Apple Country Chiropractic from our Williamson chiropractic patients
and/or their family members. Balance is
key to avert falls and
associated problems that may come with a fall…like
breaking something! Apple Country Chiropractic offers some news
regarding fall prevention and balance improvement
with spinal manipulation and balance practice.
BALANCE AND AGING
The 50s bring some noticeable changes
especially in relation to balance. Such
changes in balance also increase the risk for falling and other
health concerns. A study of 1702 people between 51 and 75 years
of age who didn't have any issues with walking found that 20.4% could
not perform a 10 second one-legged-stand which tended
to intensify the risk of all-cause mortality. (1) Failing the 10 second balance test had an 84% greater risk of dying within in the
study time (12 yrs). This observational study did
not 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, Apple Country Chiropractic
urges standing near to a tall chair
to catch yourself if necessary. If you can only do 2 seconds today, keep practicing.
You’ll improve 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 differed in weight transfer. 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 established who the “fallers” were better – 100% - than other commonly used tests
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
Williamson chiropractor in evaluating baseline
balance.
ROLE OF CHIROPRACTIC MANIPULATION IN MOVEMENT CONTROL
A newly published paper noted
the benefit 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 in the office and your practicing standing on one foot
then the other at home, we will realize how well we can improve
your balance!
CONTACT Apple Country Chiropractic
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.
Schedule your Williamson chiropractic
appointment soon. We look forward to hearing how
much better balanced you are!
"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."