Senior health and wellness takes front and center for the best quality of life as you begin to age. From diet and exercise to disease prevention and management, many aspects must be considered. Chronic conditions may arise as you age, some of which can cause pain. If left untreated, pain can become debilitating, interfering with activities of daily living.
You may feel you're missing out on the things that matter most–the things that make you happy. Whether traveling the world, attending the grandkids' sports games, or taking long leisurely walks around the neighborhood, you still want to do it all. But stiff joints, limited mobility, and aches and pains can take a toll. You may find yourself sitting out of the activities you once loved. However, that doesn't have to be the case.
Chiropractic care for seniors can help improve your mobility, range of motion, manage pain from chronic conditions, and help keep you feeling great. You can feel ready to take on anything. So go ahead and book that trip to Europe, schedule that visit to the Zoo with the grandkids, and enjoy your evening strolls.
Learn more about how chiropractic care can aid senior health and wellness below.
The Importance of Mobility For Seniors
Mobility is everything. Movement is a part of everything we do, whether consciously or subconsciously. Waking up and getting out of bed, walking up and down the stairs, taking the dog out, and even food shopping. Without proper mobility, none of these things would be possible. Or they might become painful. What was once part of the everyday mundane can become an overwhelming challenge.
Without mobility, we lose our independence. Having independence is crucial to the human experience. It's something many take for granted, and as you age, you may notice that your mobility becomes more limited.
You may need assistance in areas you never did before. An electric cart at the grocery store, a walking stick, or help from friends and family. Lots of times, this isn't what we want. This is why it's so important to maintain proper mobility as long as possible. As you age, your mobility will decrease. However, there are things you can do to slow down this symptom and feel better for longer.
Common Mobility Challenges Faced by Seniors
There are a variety of mobility challenges that seniors face. They widely range, and not everyone will experience every type. The most common mobility challenges faced by older adults include:
- Loss of steadiness while walking
- Difficulty sitting down and standing up
- Difficulty getting in and out of bed
- Slips and falls
- Joint pain
These can result from degenerative health issues such as diabetes, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and spinal cord injuries. But other changes in the body may also contribute. These include:
- Decreased muscle mass
- Decreased bone density
- Reduced thickness in cartilage
All of these are natural as we grow older and affect our range of mobility. But chiropractic care can help.
How Chiropractic Care Can Address Age-Related Mobility Issues
Chiropractic care can help with many of the issues older adults face regarding mobility. Often, chiropractors use techniques referred to as "gentle adjustments." These adjustments don't produce that loud "pop" or "crack" that people associate with typical adjustments, yet they're just as effective.
Gentle adjustments are smooth and slow and don't use abrupt or rapid movement. This can be better for stiff, sore joints or bone and muscle disorders. They're effective for back and neck pain and can target other specific areas one at a time.
Chiropractic care for senior health and wellness substantially helps with mobility issues. Subluxations, or misalignment in the spine, can impact the entire body. By receiving adjustments and treatment from a chiropractor, you can help maintain and restore balance and ease stiff and tense joints.
Knees, elbows, ankles, and more can all benefit. Many older adults state they experience hip pain, which chiropractors can also address through a series of adjustments. When your body is in proper alignment, your posture can improve, and you can minimize the risk of slips and falls–the number one injury reported in seniors. There are many ways that chiropractors help after a fall. Treatment can also minimize the risk of broken hips, another common injury people experience as they age.
Addressing Joint Stiffness and Pain through Chiropractic Care
Joint stiffness and pain are often chief complaints from older patients. Whether it's the result of arthritis or simply a sign of aging, it can affect your quality of life. Chiropractors can help this pain dissipate using a variety of techniques.
While traditional adjustments and gentle chiropractic can help, there are other techniques too. Instrument-assisted therapies such as electric stimulation (E-STIM), hot and cold therapy, laser treatment, ultrasound therapy, massage therapy, acupuncture, and more all help target the soft tissue in your joints. You can reduce scar tissue and inflammation, leading to less pain.
At ChiroCare of Florida, we can help you develop a treatment plan with one of our physical therapists to improve mobility and reduce joint pain. These plans involve light exercises, stretches, and things you can do at home between appointments that can slowly improve your range of motion and mobility.
Health Conditions Chiropractors Can Help
There are a few chronic health conditions we see as people age. Chiropractors can help manage the symptoms associated with many. Whether through adjustments, instrument-assisted therapy, or other techniques, speak with a doctor or chiropractor if you have any of the following health conditions to see if chiropractic care may be right for you:
- Cancer pain
- Arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Diabetes
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Osteoporosis
- Sciatica
- Spinal Stenosis
- Residual pain from a prior slip and fall, injury, or surgery
Treatment Plans for Senior Chiropractic Care
Patients' treatment plans often consist of various techniques, not just one. This enables our chiropractors to best address pain and helps keep it from coming back. Usually, ongoing treatments are recommended to maintain the benefits and negate pain before it arises again.
Your chiropractor may recommend that you return for treatment several times a week at first for the best results and then gradually space out appointments further and further apart as you begin to feel better. Regarding senior health and wellness, maintenance and preventative action are critical. Keeping up with chiropractic care is one component of this.
As you continue treatment, we'll monitor your progress and adjust your treatment plan as necessary. A doctor may order imaging, such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs, to thoroughly evaluate your condition and better target treatment. With the right combination of techniques and ongoing appointments, you can remain feeling your best and improve your mobility while minimizing joint pain and stiffness.
Schedule an Appointment Today
At ChiroCare of Florida, we work with many insurance policies, including Medicare plans. We'll verify your benefits before your first visit so you'll know what to expect regarding out-of-pocket costs. Additionally, we'll review your medical history and discuss any health conditions you may have, medications you're on, and more to develop the best plan for you.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
