Smart Tips for Healthy Aging from Your Chiropractor
We have all seen seniors who practically glow as they play with their grandkids, swim, golf, and just enjoy life every day. We have also seen seniors who have lost much of their mobility due to accidents, arthritis, or disease. The contrast is startling.
The American Chiropractic Association suggests seniors embrace a positive attitude, stimulate their minds, limit stress, stay connected with the world, stay in touch with family and friends, and enjoy a healthy diet, exercise regularly and choose good health providers. Both doctors and chiropractors can monitor their health and provide valuable safety and prevention tips.
The Chiropractor’s Role
There really is an opportunity for ongoing monitoring of spinal health coupled with the latest tips on fitness and wellness.
In the initial visit the chiropractor evaluates the patient’s spinal health and spends time on the patient’s current state of pain and health. Issues like arthritis, falls, loss of mobility in the hands or feet, and loss of range of motion may all come up. The chiropractor will review the patient’s schedule and check the complete medical history. The goal will always be to seek pain relief without medication or surgery. In the course of helping seniors cope with setbacks, the chiropractor can also help steer them toward counseling, relaxation exercises, and substitute hobbies or exercises that keep them moving without putting them in harm’s way.
I have seen some amazing cases of how this works. Two men in my family ran into back pain as their senior years loomed. In both cases chiropractors helped them find relief and keep moving as they shed extra pounds, joined a senior gym class, and learned how to move at a better pace. I have also seen a few senior co-workers fight their way through knee replacements, shoulder injuries, and lower back pain. In each case their doctors and chiropractors worked with them to carefully keep them in the game.
If you are a soon to be senior, or you have someone in your family who is, consider how the chiropractor could help make everything a little bit easier and make an appointment now.
Used under Creative Commons Licensing courtesy of Nick Harris