“I’m just not as steady as I used to be.”
This isn’t an uncommon conversation
starter at Pensacola Spinal Rehab Center from our Pensacola chiropractic patients
and/or their loved ones. Balance is
vital to avert falls and
associated problems that may come with it…like
breaking something! Pensacola Spinal Rehab Center offers some news
regarding 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 boost the risk for falling and other
health concerns. A study of 1702 people between 51 and 75 years
of age who did not experience
any problems with walking found that 20.4% could
not do a 10 second one-legged-stand which tended
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 declare cause/effect but suggested a connection,
a link that may insire middle and older age folks to practice
standing on one leg every day! To be safe, Pensacola Spinal Rehab Center
recommends standing near to a tall chair
to catch yourself if necessary. If you can only do 2 seconds today, keep working on it.
you will improve as you practice!
(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 performed on a force plate measuring
test for postural sway. None were different 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 determined the “fallers”
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 beneficial to your
Pensacola chiropractor in evaluating baseline
balance.
ROLE OF CHIROPRACTIC MANIPULATION IN MOVEMENT CONTROL
A recently published paper described
the benefit 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 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 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 Pensacola Spinal Rehab Center
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 Pensacola chiropractic
appointment soon. We look forward to hearing how
much better balanced you feel!
"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."