“I’m just not as balanced as I once
was.”
This isn’t an unusual conversation
starter at Novelli Wellness Center from our Orchard Park, NY chiropractic patients
and/or their family members. Balance is
vital to prevent falls and
associated issues that may come with a fall…like
breaking something! Novelli Wellness 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 relation to 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 issues with walking found that 20.4% could
not do a 10 second one-legged-stand which tended
to increase 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 period (12 years). This observational study didn’t state 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, Novelli Wellness Center
recommends standing next a tall chair
to catch yourself if necessary. If you can only do 2 seconds today, keep practicing.
You’ll do better 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 differed in transfer of
weight. 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 made
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 beneficial to your
Orchard Park, NY 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 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 assessed
on a force plate. (4) That is so good! Between our in-office chiropractic treatments with Cox® Technic during office visits and in
exercise sessions of practicing standing on one foot
then the other at home, we will realize how well we can enhance
your balance!
CONTACT Novelli Wellness 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.
Schedule your Orchard Park, NY chiropractic
appointment today. We look forward to hearing how
much steadier you feel!