Colorado Springs Chiropractic Tip: Practice Balance Every Day !

“I’m just not as steady as I used to be.”

This isn’t an uncommon conversation starter at The Chiropractic TRUhealthDR from our Colorado Springs chiropractic patients and/or their loved ones. Balance is crucial to avert falls and related problems that may come with a fall…like breaking something! The Chiropractic TRUhealthDR presents some news about fall prevention and balance improvement with spinal manipulation and balance practice.

BALANCE AND AGING

The 50s bring some noticeable changes particularly 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 didn't have any problems with walking found that 20.4% could not perform a 10 second one-legged-stand which tended to increase the risk of all-cause mortality. (1) Failing the 10 second balance test was associated with an 84% higher risk of dying within in the study period (12 years). This observational study didn’t declare cause/effect but proposed a link, a link that may encourage middle and older age folks to practice standing on one leg every day! To be safe, The Chiropractic TRUhealthDR urges standing near to a tall chair to stabilize yourself if necessary. If you can only do 2 seconds today, keep working on it. you will do better as you practice! (2) Once you see some improvement, you’ll want to do more! Proprioception exercises may help, too!

MORE ENCOURAGEMENT TO PRACTICE BALANCE

A study compared how known “fallers,” “nonfallers,” and young volunteers did on a force plate measuring test for postural sway. None were different in transfer of weight. Younger volunteers decreased postural sway within 2 seconds while older ones never did and swayed the same the whole time. Older “fallers” swayed significantly more. This specially made one-leg-stance test established who the “fallers” were better – 100% - than other commonly used tests 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 beneficial to your Colorado Springs chiropractor in evaluating baseline balance.

ROLE OF CHIROPRACTIC MANIPULATION IN MOVEMENT CONTROL

A newly published paper noted the usefulness of (Cox®) flexion distraction spinal manipulation for lumbar spinal stenosis patients by improving their balance test scores - Timed Up and Go and Five Times Sit to Stand Test – and decreasing postural sway and entropy (forward/backward movement) as determined on a force plate.  (4) That is so good! Between our in-office chiropractic treatments with Cox® Technic in the office and your practicing standing on one foot then the other at home, we will realize how well we can improve your balance!

CONTACT The Chiropractic TRUhealthDR

Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Nate McKee on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he illustrates relieving chiropractic care and re-establishing balance via The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management for patients with spinal stenosis.

Schedule your Colorado Springs chiropractic appointment soon. We look forward to hearing how much better balanced you are!