As we step into our golden years, our bodies often remind us they’re not what they used to be.
This is where chiropractic care comes in, shining as a beacon of hope for seniors.
Regular chiropractic visits significantly enhance the quality of life for older adults. Just ask the 14% of chiropractic patients aged 65 and older! (Source: Dougherty et al.)
From improving flexibility and balance to boosting the immune system, chiropractic care offers a natural, drug-free approach to senior healthcare!
Is Chiropractic Care for Seniors Safe?
Yes, chiropractic care is both safe and beneficial for older adults toward pain management.
As we age, our bodies undergo significant changes, often entailing discomfort or pain. That’s where chiropractic care steps in as a helpful friend.
Of course, chiropractors understand that older bodies need gentle care. Therefore, Dr. Doerr and his team adjust their techniques to be softer and less forceful. Even with osteoporosis or arthritis, you can still benefit from chiropractic treatment in your golden years!
Chiropractic Techniques for Senior Care
Chiropractic care for seniors involves a variety of gentle and effective treatment techniques:
- Gentle Spinal Manipulation: The bread and butter of chiropractic care for seniors. Dr. Doerr applies gentle pressure to align the spine, thus reducing pain and improving mobility.
- Soft Tissue Therapy: Dr. Doerr applies this technique to the muscles and ligaments to relieve tension, improve flexibility, and reduce discomfort.
- Flexion-Distraction: This gentle, non-forceful spinal manipulation technique addresses the discomfort of seniors with spinal conditions (spinal stenosis or herniated discs). The chiropractor uses a special table that stretches and decompresses the spine, relieving chronic pain without sudden movements.
- Joint Mobilization: This technique involves slowly moving the joints through their range of motion—a gentle way to increase flexibility and reduce joint stiffness.
- Therapeutic Exercises: Chiropractors recommend exercises to strengthen the muscles, improve balance, and increase the range of motion of older adults.
- Nutritional Counseling: Ask your chiropractor for advice on creating a diet that supports overall wellness for seniors.
- Lifestyle Advice: Beyond treating the spine, chiropractors provide actionable tips on improving sleep, reducing stress, and staying active safely.
Chiropractic Care Addresses Senior Health Concerns
Chiropractic care aptly addresses the everyday health concerns of seniors, like spinal degeneration, arthritis, and osteoporosis:
- Spinal degeneration starts when the spinal discs wear down over time, causing pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. Dr. Doerr gently adjusts the spine to relieve nerve and muscle pressure, increasing flexibility.
- Chiropractors can’t cure arthritis, but they can make a significant difference in managing its symptoms. They use joint mobilization and soft tissue therapy to reduce joint stiffness and improve range of motion.
- Osteoporosis weakens the bones, adding to their fragility. Chiropractors use gentle techniques to avoid putting too much pressure on the bones. Plus, they advise on exercises and nutrition to help strengthen bones and reduce the risk of fractures.
Chiropractic Care for Seniors Improves Immune System Function
The spine houses your nervous system, which controls almost everything in your body, including your immune system.
When chiropractors adjust your spine, they remove any blockages or interference in your nervous system.
Improved spinal health allows your immune system to work at its best, strengthening your body’s natural defenses!
Regular Chiropractic Care Minimizes Subluxations
When discussing subluxations, we look at slight misalignments or movements in the spine that pressure the nerves, leading to pain and stiffness.
These subluxations become more common as we age, but chiropractic care is here to help!
Chiropractors use adjustments to find these subluxations and then gently correct them. Correcting subluxations reduces the pressure on your nerves, decreasing chronic pain and boosting mobility.
It’s like giving your body a tune-up so everything runs more smoothly!
Chiropractic Adjustments Slow Down Joint Degeneration
As we age, our joints start showing signs of wear and tear, leading to stiffness, pain, and even arthritis.
Although unrelated at a glance, proper spinal alignment reverses joint degeneration.
Your spine is the backbone of your body’s structure. It distributes your weight evenly when aligned correctly, meaning less stress on your joints!
Regular Chiropractic Adjustments Improve Balance and Coordination
By correcting spinal misalignments, chiropractic care has a solid knock-on effect on your balance and coordination!
The spine doesn’t just keep you upright; it’s also a vital part of your nervous system. It sends signals to your brain about your body’s position, preserving your balance and smooth movement.
As they age, seniors are more prone to falls or feel less steady on their feet.
That’s where regular chiropractic adjustments make a tangible difference. With your nervous system communicating like clockwork, you’re more likely to preserve optimal balance and coordination.
Chiropractic Care Boosts Flexibility
Chiropractic care is our seniors’ secret weapon for keeping them flexible!
A substantial part of what chiropractors do is improve the movement of the spine and other joints.
With age, our joints get stiffer and our muscles tighter.
Regular chiropractic adjustments reduce this stiffness and increase the range of motion in your joints.
It’s like oiling a squeaky door hinge so it moves smoothly again!
Through chiropractic care, seniors will be able to bend down more easily, reach for things without discomfort, and generally move around more freely.
They’ll find it easier to stay active, whether going for walks, gardening, or playing with their grandkids!
Golden Years, Golden Health: Unlocking the Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Seniors!”
At Bergen Chiropractic and Sports Rehabilitation Center, our chiropractic team, under the leadership of Dr. Gregory Doerr, adheres to the highest medical standards to provide superior chiropractic help. Our mission is to provide unparalleled patient care in a comfortable, healing atmosphere.
Access our contact form or call us at (201) 945-4075 to learn more about our chiropractic care services! Our offices at 532 Anderson Avenue, Cliffside Park, NJ 07010, and 62 Summit Ave, Hackensack, NJ 07601, are ready to welcome you as we proudly serve the areas of New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, PA, and Baltimore, MD. Also, access our blog, Facebook, and Instagram pages for more information on ways to keep you healthy and active through your golden years!
References
- Dougherty, Paul E, et al. “The Role of Chiropractic Care in Older Adults – Chiropractic & Manual Therapies.” BioMed Central, BioMed Central, chiromt.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/2045-709X-20-3. Accessed 27 Nov. 2023.
- Intriago, Joy. “Pros and Cons of Chiropractics for Seniors.” Seasons, www.seasons.com/chiropractic-elderly-pros-cons/2492169/. Accessed 27 Nov. 2023.
- Luca, Katie de, et al. “The Profile of Older Adults Seeking Chiropractic Care: A Secondary Analysis – BMC Geriatrics.” BioMed Central, BioMed Central, bmcgeriatr.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12877-021-02218-6. Accessed 27 Nov. 2023.
