“I’m just not as steady as I once
was.”
This is not an uncommon conversation
starter at Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka from our Sitka chiropractic patients
and/or their loved ones. Balance is
key to prevent falls and
related problems that may come with it…like
breaking something! Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka presents some news
regarding fall prevention and balance improvement
with spinal manipulation and balance practice.
BALANCE AND AGING
The 50s bring some noticeable changes
especially in relation to balance. Such
changes in balance also increase the risk for falling and other
health concerns. A study of 1702 people between 51 and 75 years
old who did not have any issues with walking found that 20.4% could
not perform a 10 second one-legged-stand which managed
to intensify the risk of all-cause mortality. (1) Not being
able to do the 10 second balance test was
associated with an 84% greater risk of dying within in the
study period (12 years). This observational study did
not state cause/effect but proposed a connection,
a link that may encourage middle and older age folks to practice
standing on one leg every day! To be safe, Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka
recommends standing near to a counter
to stabilize yourself if necessary. If you can only do 2 seconds today, keep working on it.
you will improve as you practice!
(2) Once you add a few seconds, you will
keep practicing! Proprioception exercises may help, too!
MORE ENCOURAGEMENT TO PRACTICE BALANCE
A research project compared how known “fallers,”
“nonfallers,” and young volunteers performed on a force plate gauging
test for postural sway. None differed in weight transfer. Younger ones reduced
postural sway within 2 seconds while older ones never did and swayed the same
the whole time. Older “fallers” swayed significantly more. This specially designed
one-leg-stance test established who the “fallers” were better – 100% - than other more common ways
to measure balance – five-times-sit-to-stand (69%), timed-up-and-go (48%),
usual one-leg-stance without special parameters as in this research study
(62%). (3) Tests like these are quite helpful to your
Sitka chiropractor in evaluating baseline
balance.
ROLE OF CHIROPRACTIC MANIPULATION IN MOVEMENT CONTROL
A recently published paper described
the usefulness of (Cox®) flexion distraction spinal manipulation
for lumbar spinal stenosis patients by enhancing their balance
test scores - Timed Up and Go and Five Times Sit to Stand Test – and reducing
postural sway and entropy (forward/backward movement) as measured
on a force plate. (4) That is so good! Between our in-office chiropractic treatments with Cox® Technic during office visits and in
exercise sessions of practicing standing on one foot
then the other at home, we will realize how well we can improve
your balance!
CONTACT Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Nate McKee on The Back Doctors Podcast with
Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes relieving
chiropractic care and re-establishing balance via The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management for
patients with spinal stenosis.
Make your Sitka chiropractic
appointment soon. We look forward to hearing how
much steadier you are!