“I’m just not as steady as I once
was.”
This isn’t an uncommon conversation
starter at Spine & Sports Rehab Center from our Baton Rouge chiropractic patients
and/or their family members. Balance is
important to avert falls and
related problems that may come with a fall…like
breaking something! Spine & Sports Rehab Center presents some news
regarding fall prevention and balance improvement
with spinal manipulation and balance practice.
BALANCE AND AGING
The 50s bring some noticeable changes
especially 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 didn't have any problems with walking found that 20.4% couldn’t 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 related to an 84% greater risk of dying within in the
study time (12 years). This observational study didn’t state 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, Spine & Sports Rehab Center
recommends standing next a tall chair
to catch yourself if necessary. If you can only do 2 seconds today, keep practicing.
you will improve over time!
(2) Once you add a few seconds, you will
keep practicing! 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 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
Baton Rouge chiropractor in determining 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 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 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 Spine & Sports Rehab Center
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Nate McKee on The Back Doctors Podcast with
Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes relieving
chiropractic care and re-establishing balance via The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management for
patients with spinal stenosis.
Make your Baton Rouge chiropractic
appointment soon. We look forward to hearing how
much better balanced you are!
"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."