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Tonawanda Chiropractic Tip: Practice Balance Every Day !

“I’m just not as steady as I once was.”

This isn’t an unusual conversation starter at Chiropractic Spine Sports And Rehabilitation from our Tonawanda chiropractic patients and/or their loved ones. Balance is vital to avert falls and associated problems that may come with it…like breaking something! Chiropractic Spine Sports And Rehabilitation presents some news about fall prevention and balance enhancement with spinal manipulation and balance practice.

BALANCE AND AGING

The 50s bring some noticeable changes particularly in terms of balance. Such changes in balance also boost the risk for falling and other health concerns. A report of 1702 people between 51 and 75 years of age who had no problems with walking found that 20.4% could not do 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 related to an 84% higher risk of dying within in the study time (12 years). This observational study didn’t declare cause/effect but suggested a link, a link that may encourage middle and older age folks to practice standing on one leg every day! To be safe, Chiropractic Spine Sports And Rehabilitation urges standing next a tall chair to stabilize yourself if necessary. If today only 3 seconds are possible, keep working on it. You’ll do better over time! (2) Once you see some improvement, 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 did on a force plate gauging 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 designed one-leg-stance test established who the “fallers” were better – 100% - than other more common 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 quite helpful to your Tonawanda chiropractor in evaluating baseline balance.

ROLE OF CHIROPRACTIC MANIPULATION IN MOVEMENT CONTROL

A newly 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 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 Chiropractic Spine Sports And Rehabilitation

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.

Make your Tonawanda chiropractic appointment now. We look forward to seeing how much steadier you feel!

 
Chiropractic Spine Sports And Rehabilitation shares recent research that notes how those who can balance on one leg for 10 seconds at a time have a lesser risk of death.  
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"This information and website content is not intended to diagnose, guarantee results, or recommend specific treatment or activity. It is designed to educate and inform only. Please consult your physician for a thorough examination leading to a diagnosis and well-planned treatment strategy. See more details on the DISCLAIMER page. Content is reviewed by Dr. James M. Cox I."