As years go by, the body ages progressively. The joints degenerate and the bones become less dense. That’s how human life is meant to be. However, there’s a need to maintain a healthy lifestyle if you are looking to slow down the aging process. As a senior member of the society, you don’t have to panic when you suffer chronic pains. They are quite common at such an age but this doesn’t make them normal. You need to see a specialist and you can start with Dr. Hinz at Cool Springs Chiropractic.
Who’s a Chiropractor?
A chiropractor is an expert that specializes in bone-related complications, more so those affecting the spine. The expert uses hands-on techniques to correct the problem. Often, a chiropractor is referred to as a musculoskeletal expert because they are able to treat musculoskeletal disorders. Their main goal is to correct subluxations (a situation where the spine is misaligned). It’s the subluxation that brings about chronic pain and other types of discomfort since the nerves are greatly compressed and the effect is felt by your physical body.
What Are the Benefits of Seeking Chiropractic Help?
There’s a close association between the spine and the way the human body depreciates. Research approves chiropractic care as a treatment option for managing spine-related issues. This is on the basis of it being safer and effective for the seniors. Generally, chiropractic care gives you the following benefits:
- Pain Management
When it comes to pain management, you have to think of conditions like headaches, neck pain, lower back pain, and shoulder pain. Chiropractic care is not only safe but effective in managing them. It’s naturally effective because most pains originate from the spine and this is the area that a chiropractor specializes in. They are able to treat the spine and bring relief to the surrounding tissues. They are able to do it by correcting subluxations. They ensure that the compressed nerves are freed and in the long run, the pain is managed.
- Slows Joint Degeneration
One condition that comes into mind when thinking of joint degeneration is arthritis. Arthritis is generally common among the seniors because of a faster subluxation rate. As your spine starts to misalign, the joints, especially the knees, start to wear out. Chiropractic care helps to readjust the misalignment so as to slow down the wearing process. So, you can be able to manage arthritis easily by routinely going for chiropractic care.
- Improves Mobility
In your senior life, your mobility is greatly affected. You become slower and less articulate. While this is a normal sign of getting old, it doesn’t always have to be the case. Chiropractic care may help you improve the way you move around. It not only enhances your speed of walking and doing things but it also enhances your flexibility. It becomes easier to bend when picking your grandkids or when playing golf.
- Enhances Posture
So many cases of poor body balance originate from the spine and are related to degenerative conditions. The part that’s most affected is the cervical (neck) area. By opting for chiropractic care, the experts are able to fix subluxations in this region. This ensures you regain body balance and coordination. In the end, you don’t have to worry about falling down unnecessarily.
- General Health and Wellbeing
Sometimes, you don’t have to experience chronic pain to see a chiropractor. You can do it to improve your general health and wellbeing. At times, you may be suffering from subluxations without realizing it. Such effects interfere with your immune system and this may mean a high chance of getting sick. You need chiropractic care to ensure that this does not happen.
Are There Any Risks?
Like all other treatments, there are risks involved in chiropractic care. These risks are not so common but this doesn’t dispute the fact that they can happen. For example, you may suffer bone damage, soreness, or any other kind of injury if the wrong technique is used on you or when you approach an inexperienced chiropractor.
What are the Chiropractic Treatment Options for Seniors?
There are two broader chiropractic treatment techniques for seniors: non-manipulative and manipulative. It all depends on need and preference.
- Non-Manipulative Technique
This technique is also referred to as non-force spinal adjustment. It applies to the following categories of people:
- Seniors in acute pain
- Seniors with spasms
- Seniors with arthritis or degenerative joint syndrome
- Seniors with a delicate nervous system
These people generally require gentle care and that’s why the chiropractic treatment is administered non-forceful. It’s also a common technique for infants and children as they also require gentle handling. There are several methods in this category such as myofascial massage (where significant pressure is released from the fascial sheath) and deep tissue massage (where lymph flow is enhanced).
The advantages of non-manipulative techniques are:
- It’s gentle, thus ideal for delicate seniors.
- It’s painless, thus ideal for pain-sensitive seniors.
- Manipulative Technique
This technique is popularly known as spinal manipulation or spinal adjustment. It originates from ancient Chinese and it involves hands-on adjustment of the joints and realignment of the spine. By doing so, it’s able to promote healing not only on the spine but on the surrounding tissues as well. There are several methods under this technique. They include:
- Orthogonal Technique – Also known as Atlas. It’s used to treat issues that affect the upper cervical area.
- Diversified Technique – This technique is used by 98% of top chiropractors and above 70% of patients prefer it. It’s characterized by the application of a low-amplitude thrust that is done under high velocity. It’s meant to realign the spine fast and safely.
Generally, spinal adjustment comes with the following advantages:
- It’s a great option for treating neuromusculoskeletal disorders
- It’s great for relieving neck pains and lower back pains
- It’s considered the cheaper option when compared with the non-manipulative This is why most seniors go for it.
Final Thought:
Clearly, you can improve your way of living in your senior life with chiropractic care. The practice is research-based and has been used for years. Therefore, if you are looking to manage musculoskeletal complications that come with old age, seeing a Dr. Hinz at Cool Springs Chiropractic is always a wise idea. You can add it to your new year’s health resolutions. You won’t be disappointed by the decision!
