Chiropractic Keeps Older Adults Mobile
By Chris Brown
Aging slows even the most athletic person's ability to move. Joint wear, spinal dysfunction, disc thinning, decreased energy, and chronic pain all play roles in keeping the aged stagnant. This is unfortunate as mobility is a high indicator of health, both mentally and physically. The longer a person remains immobile, the quicker further degradation seems to develop. That is why chiropractic, a health care built around optimizing health through fixing subluxations of the joints and spine, becomes so important as people age.
Importance of Mobility With Age
While mobility tends to decrease with age, it is highly important for elder adults to remain active. There are physical and mental consequences to loss of movement. Physically, joints, muscle mass, and bone density drop dramatically in older adults once their mobility decreases. That loss of mobility is hard to regain once it occurs. This can mean they are less likely of living at home and have a higher risk of future injury, falls, or death. Mentally, lost mobility can also take a toll. Humans are social creatures and older immobile people lose their ability to socialize outside of their homes. This leads to a large increase in depression, anxiety, and mental degradation among older adults. Luckily, chiropractic can help elderly individuals maintain their independence and quality of life.
Chiropractic Keeps You Mobile Into Your Later Years
In a study of care among elderly adults with spinal disabilities, chiropractic was shown to decrease pain and improve biomechanical function (mobility). Another 2011 study comparing chiropractic and medical treatment for older adults found chiropractic to significantly protect against the declines of daily living. Not only is it useful to prevent mobility loss, but chiropractic is key for rehab following injury or illness.
Chiropractic has shown great ability to enhance mobility after common age-related injuries or illnesses such as improving motor function in elderly stroke victims (Brain Science, 2021), increasing range-of-motion for hip osteoarthritis patients (Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 2010), and reducing symptoms from mobility-limiting spinal stenosis (Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 2001).
Additionally, a 2018 Danish study found that musculoskeletal pain alone contributed to a higher incidence of falls for older adults, which can lead to severe mobility-limiting injuries. Chiropractic has shown an excellent ability to reduce chronic pain (especially in the back and joints) without the need for medication.
If someone you love is starting to lose mobility from age-related issues, bring them into The Joint Chiropractic today. The Joint offers affordable, insurance-free rates to bring a non-invasive, personal care needed in today's healthcare. Walk-ins are welcome anytime during The Joint's extended hours. So don't waste another day plagued by immobility, stop by The Joint today to walk out on the town tonight.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Minneapolis, Minn.