5 Benefits for Seniors Who Use Chiropractic Regularly

By Martha Michael

Can elderly folks, or those who are moving in that direction, get chiropractic adjustments? Yes. Can they benefit from regular chiropractic care? Yes. Are there specific reasons why they should see a chiropractor? If they have a spine, the answer is yes. There are at least five reasons regular chiropractic care can help the seniors you know.

Chiropractic 101

The brain controls the entire body and all its functions. The brain and body communicate via the nervous system, and the spine houses and protects the spinal cord and the nerve roots. The nerve roots lead into nerves that carry information to every cell, tissue, and organ in the body, which controls everything from blinking to bending a big toe. Those cells, tissues, and organs also send information back to the brain via the very same nerves, nerve roots, and through the spinal cord. And so goes the circle of nervous system communication. The clearer the communication pathway, the better communication and optimal health.

Improved Nervous System Communication

The health and ability of the spine to move and function properly affects the ability of the nervous system to communicate at its highest level. Want to breathe? The nervous system communicates that information. The healthier and more mobile the spine, the better the communication. Spines that have limited range of motion or degeneration have lowered and less effective nervous system communication. Thus, it’s logical to expect an individual in this state would be less healthy, especially as they begin to advance in years.

So, everyone who improves their nervous system communication has a significant opportunity to improve their health. That includes Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa.

Improved Range of Motion

The body is a machine. It needs to be taken care of and maintained as such. Chiropractic adjustments address the mobility of the spinal joints in order to increase the function of the nervous system communication. Just like a car, as people get older, the wear and tear on the body adds up. If one hasn’t taken care of and maintained the health and mobility of their spine, it’s quite likely that there is a decrease in range of motion, even if one doesn’t feel it or notice it right away.

Chiropractors assess the segmental motion of each spinal vertebrae and, through the chiropractic adjustment, help restore full range of motion. It’s quite common among the elderly to have such significant decrease in range of motion that posture and how they move on a larger or more global basis is negatively affected (think hunchback, or the inability to bend over and pick things up).

Decreased Joint Degeneration

Improper motion of the spine that lasts for a significant period of time ultimately degrades the overall structure and health of the bones and the joints. The body is a self-healing mechanism and tries to correct the problem. So it lays down new bone to stabilize and account for the “new,” albeit abhorrent improper functioning and motion. Many healthcare professionals name this process arthritis. There are many forms of arthritis with some being degenerative in nature such as degenerative joint disease (DJD) or osteoarthritis. It doesn’t matter what you name it, rather call it what it is: joint degeneration that has occurred as a result of prolonged improper motion and function. While some degeneration occurs as a result of the aging process, chiropractic adjustments can decrease the effects of joint degeneration by improving the range of motion, assisting in proper joint function -- which includes joint lubrication and weightbearing -- and stimulating proper bone growth processes.

Pain Relief and Overall Increase In Quality of Life

Chiropractic adjustments are known for the side effect of pain relief and an overall increase in sense of well-being and health. It’s hard to imagine any seniors who wouldn’t benefit from these two things.

As with any individual, chiropractors will take into account the history and circumstances of the patient (including their age) and will use the specific type of chiropractic adjustment that best fits the patient’s needs. We at The Joint Chiropractic invite all ages of people to come in, get checked, and let us help you live the healthiest, most active lifestyle possible!

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this page are for informational purposes only. The purpose of this post is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics, including but not limited to the benefits of chiropractic care, exercise and nutrition. It is not intended to provide or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your chiropractor, physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this page.