The Impact of Aging on the Spine
By Sara Butler
The health of the spine is critical to a person’s overall health and well-being. That’s why seeing the chiropractor regularly is so important! It’s also incredibly important to understand how the natural aging process can impact the health of your spine. Seeing the chiropractor can help to battle against the impact of aging on the spine in order to keep it – and you – as healthy as possible. Here’s what you need to know about aging and your spine.
Common Spinal Problems
As you get older, there are a few common spinal conditions to be aware of. The most common conditions associated with age are:
- Compression fractures
- Adult scoliosis
- Spinal stenosis
- Degenerative spondylolisthesis
- Ankylosis
- Osteoporosis
- Degenerative disc disease
Every single one of these conditions can be the result of aging and more than one can happen at once.
The Impact of Aging
The skeleton provides structure and support for the whole body. The bones in the skeleton are connected by the joints, which allow movement. Every joint is then cushioned by something called cartilage, and every joint is bathed in a fluid that helps the cartilage to move smoothly.
As a person ages, bones lose calcium and other minerals that give them strength. The discs between the spinal bones also lose fluid and shrink in size. When this happens, pain and dysfunction can result.
As the spine ages along with the rest of the body, the following things can occur:
- An altered walking style or gait
- Changes in posture
- Slowed movement
- Weakness
- Falling of foot arches
- Loss of length of the spine
- Loss of fluid in the discs of the spine
- Loss of cartilage between bones
- Loss of flexibility
- Calcification of the joints
- Inflammation
- Pain
The changes that occur in the skeleton and spine are a part of the aging process that can’t be stopped. As every person experiences aging of the spine, one of the best things that can be done to treat the changes is working with a chiropractor. Chiropractic is a proactive way to deal with the changes due to aging and to stay ahead of potential problems or conditions.
If you’re concerned about changes you’re experiencing due to aging, discuss them with your chiropractor the next time you come into The Joint Chiropractic. They can help you to create a treatment plan to address your concerns!
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Aurora, Colo.