How Chiropractic Care can Improve your Quality of Life

Chiropractic care is recognised as an effective way to maintain a healthy body and enhance our overall wellbeing. But, while many people already include regular chiropractic adjustments visits as part of their healthcare routine, it may be an unfamiliar concept to our older generation. Here, we wish to address any fear or uncertainty, and shed a light on how chiropractic care may benefit the older members of our community.

An Overview of Chiropractic in Australia

In Australia, musculoskeletal conditions have a significant impact on the wellbeing of older individuals, contributing to “9% of total disability adjusted life years for those aged over 65 years.” Similarly, on a global scale, musculoskeletal conditions contribute to 8% of the overall disease burden among those aged over 60 years. From an economic perspective, musculoskeletal conditions pose a significant burden. In 2018 alone, these conditions cost the Australian health system $9.3 billion.

Seniors and Back Pain

Chronic low back pain can be particularly challenging, severe, and incapacitating for older adults. Research shows that older people with low back pain, with or without accompanying leg pain, are highly likely to experience difficulty in performing everyday tasks like lifting, walking, bathing, doing housework, and climbing stairs.

Musculoskeletal conditions which cause back, neck, or leg pain, have a negative impact on an older person’s health and quality of life. They can limit mobility, reduce social participation, increase feelings of isolation, helplessness, and frustration. But all is not lost!

Chiropractic for Seniors

Chiropractic care offers an effective approach to address musculoskeletal issues for seniors.

Chiropractors are healthcare professionals who specialize in diagnosing, treating, and preventing mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, as well as understanding their impact on the nervous system and general health. In Australia, 73% of chiropractors regularly treat adults over the age of 65 years, and 12% of chiropractic patients are older than sixty-five.

Success Story

Let’s take a moment to celebrate! The oldest patient of Dr. Nicole’s practice is a strong, healthy, and mobile 97-year-old who lives independently and is free from pain – a perfect example of how chiropractic care can positively impact the lives of older individuals.

Five Reasons why Older Adults book regular Chiropractic Appointments 

Chiropractic care is a safe and gentle form of healthcare that can provide pain relief and numerous other health benefits for seniors:

Reduce the Risk of Falling

As people age, their fear of falling increases. Weaker joints and muscles can contribute to a lack of balance which heightens the risk of “slip and fall” injuries. Falls can have severe consequences for older adults including broken bones, hospital stays, and a loss of independence.

Chiropractic care improves mobility, flexibility, and balance, all of which enable older individuals to feel more confident and steady on their feet.

Provide Relief from Chronic Pain

Spinal misalignments disrupt the flow of communication from the brain to the rest of the body, which often results in pain. Over time, untreated pain can become chronic and debilitating.

While aches and pains may seem inevitable with aging, experienced chiropractors can gently and precisely correct spinal misalignments, to restore proper nerve communication and alleviate pain.

Beneficial for Joints

Over time, wear and tear on the body can affect our joints, which may lead to the breakdown of cartilage and painful bone-on-bone rubbing. This can significantly impact our ability to move and exercise, and create a cycle of increasing pain.

Regular chiropractic adjustments can reduce joint pain, prevent premature joint degeneration, and allow older adults to enjoy their daily activities.

Improve Balance and Coordination

Degeneration of the joints and spine can contribute to poor posture, which affects balance and coordination. Spinal misalignments further exacerbate these issues faced by many older adults. Proper balance, coordination, and range of motion are essential for a comfortable and active lifestyle.

Regular chiropractic care can:

• improve posture
• enhance balance
• increase joint range of motion
• reduce muscle and ligament tightness
• promoting confidence and enjoyment in activities.

Enhance Overall Health and Well-being

The benefits of Chiropractic care extend beyond the musculoskeletal system to impact the entire body. Neurologically-based chiropractic care focuses on enhancing our overall health and wellbeing. Spinal misalignments that cause nerve interference can contribute to various health concerns, including poor digestion, weakened immune system function, headaches, back pain, and other conditions common experienced by older adults.

Regular chiropractic care can help improve your overall body function, alleviate health concerns, and enhance your quality of life.

Chiropractic Care: Specifically for Seniors

There are numerous benefits of regular chiropractic care that can improve the function of your entire body and alleviate the symptoms and pain caused by musculoskeletal imbalance. If chiropractic is new to you, simply talk to Dr Nicole to find out more about the process and how it may help you. Dr Nicole and the Connect Chiropractic team will always take a gentle, caring, and holistic approach to your healthcare and overall wellbeing, so you can ‘Move Well, Stay Well, Live Well,’ regardless of your age.

Call our highly qualified chiropractors at Connect Chiropractic to book a consultation. Start to experience improved wellbeing and a fulfilling life!

References: https://bmcgeriatr.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12877-021-02218-6