People’s health conditions deteriorate with age. That is why the health care needs of the elderly are greater relative to younger people. The degenerative process takes a toll on the bodies of older people. Their bones become weaker and more fragile as they become less dense. Their sensory perceptions weaken. All of their body systems, including the immune system, work less efficiently. As a result, they become more susceptible to diseases and dysfunctions, including pain and other discomfort. They often live a sedentary life as they are less able to be physically active. These are the special health challenges unique to the senior population.

Chiropractic Care for Elders

Chiropractic care becomes even more important for the elderly because of the significant changes that occur especially in the spine as they age. In aging people, the vertebrae, spinal joints, discs, muscles, ligaments and other tissues in the spine weaken, become more fibrous, less hydrated, and less capable to withstand strain. These developments result in more prominent back pain from the degeneration of the spine, more vulnerability to injury, and increase in soft tissues. Healing time for injury also increases with aging. Minimizing the risks and optimizing the general health and wellness of the elderly are a major concern.

The important considerations of chiropractic care for the elderly are the nature of their aging spine plus the many abnormalities present among them. Modern chiropractic procedures use gentle adjustment techniques that are safe, effective and non-invasive. They are usually complemented with physical therapies and incorporate exercise programs and stretching. The expected results are reduced spinal pain, decreased spinal stresses, improved mobility and flexibility and minimized degeneration.

Aside from routine maintenance chiropractic care older people go for, the most common conditions they bring to the chiropractors for treatment are problems of the back, shoulder, neck, hip, knee and joints, whether or not they are coming from injuries or associated with aging-related degenerative issues. They also come for the relief of headaches, migraines, sciatica, vertigo, dizziness and Meniere’s Disease.

 

Benefits of Chiropractic Care for the Elderly

Both routine chiropractic healthcare maintenance program and chiropractic adjustments to help in disease and injury treatment provide a number of benefits which are important for aging adults. They include:

• Restored motion in the joints. Motion in the spinal joints and other joints is restored and optimized. This is important in bringing vital nutrients into these joints and flushing out toxic waste products, helping maintain healthy joints and minimize degenerative joint changes that lead to arthritis.
• Decreased degeneration of the joints and tissues. A misaligned spine normally presents abnormal biomechanics. It wears out prematurely. Chiropractic alignments allow for maximum utilization of the spine by preventing its early wear out.
• Restored postural alignment. In general, a posture that is rounded, distorted and compressed are seen in people, with aging. Bad posture can lead to aches and pains, increased disability, poor emotional state, health and wellbeing. Regular chiropractic care helps bring about good posture by reducing the underlying neurological and biomechanical causes of poor posture.
• Balanced nervous system. As people get older, stress and strain accumulate in their bodies. Chiropractic adjustments can help in tuning up the whole body through analyzing and correcting the tension that has built up in the body.
• Increased feeling of overall health and wellbeing. Although the elimination of pain and discomfort is among the primary benefits of chiropractic care, its more important goal is increasing the quality of life of the elderly. Being free from pain and stiff joints can let a person engage in the things he or she takes pleasure in, such as playing with the grandchildren, golf, gardening, and others, making life more enjoyable.

Staying healthy, feeling good and doing things that make them productive and happy are what senior people look forward to each day. The chiropractic profession, through providing the necessary chiropractic healthcare is one with our senior citizens in this meaningful objective.