A third of individuals over 65 years old fall every year. In this age bracket, falls are the leading cause of injury-related death.
Inevitably, falls are very serious, and older people simply don’t recover from the trauma (physically and mentally) as younger people do. Hospitalization often results in secondary infections, and bed rest can cause muscle atrophy. Fear of a repeat fall often restricts physical activity, which leads to muscle weakness and a loss of stamina. Furthermore, factors that increase the risk of falling include trouble seeing, dizziness, and pain in the body.
The good news is that with some intervention, the risk of falling decreases. Appropriate footwear, eye check-ups, and supportive treatments can be life-changing. As you age, you can gain confidence in your body and get stronger rather than weaker—even after a fall! So, let’s find out how regular chiropractic care can reduce the risk of falling and improve your quality of life.
5 Ways Chiropractic Care Decreases the Risk of Falls (and Helps You Recover From One!)
Chiropractic care is one of the best options for the elderly as it is safe, adaptable, and doesn’t involve medication. There are several ways that chiropractic care reduces the risk of falls—and helps you recover after a fall!
1. Increases Circulation and Strengthens Muscles
One of the top reasons the elderly are prone to falls is a loss of muscular strength. This is often caused by an inactive lifestyle. Chiropractors use different exercises (and teach you how) to build strength in your leg, abdominal and back muscles. The result is increased muscle mass, better circulation, and a reduced risk of falling.
2. Addresses Pain
As you take a step, you feel a sharp shooting pain down your leg, and it gives way under your weight. Pain is a significant risk factor when it comes to falls.
Chiropractic care is an effective option for treating joint pain. Massage therapy, heat therapy, ultrasound, and exercise are just some of the ways that chiropractors treat pain around joints—even joints affected by osteoarthritis!
3. Improves Posture and Balance
As you age, your posture can become stooped, which not only affects your balance, it can place strain on your back and joints. The poor balance, stiffness, and joint pain that result increase your risk of falling.
Chiropractic care helps you find the root cause of your poor balance and correct your posture through strengthening exercises. Standing tall when moving about reduces your risk of falling—and boosts your self-confidence too!
4. Decreases Dizziness
Feeling dizzy or light-headed is a common cause of falls. Dizziness or vertigo can be caused by a misalignment in the upper cervical spine. This puts pressure on the brain stem (carrying messages to and from the brain), which leads to the sensation of dizziness.
Chiropractors carefully examine the spine, correcting any misalignments with gentle manipulation. Not only does this balance out your nervous system, but it also clears up vertigo caused by spinal compression.
5. Optimizes Gait and Encourages Exercise
How you walk and how often you walk affect your risk of falling. Joint pain due to wear and tear, or arthritis, can cause you to subconsciously change your natural walking style or your gait.
Chiropractors treat joint pain using therapies that reduce inflammation. Specific exercises increase mobility and help you learn to walk correctly again. Chiropractors also design exercise programs that encourage regular movement and increase mobility to reduce your risk of falling as you age!
Book Your Appointment Today
There’s no need to live in fear of falling. Chiropractic care can restore your strength, improve your balance, and get you moving! To find out more about how chiropractic care can improve your quality of life and protect your independence, contact Integrated Health & Injury, your local chiropractor in Atlanta and Decatur, Georgia.
Use our contact form, or dial one of these numbers:
Decatur – 404-288-9000
Atlanta – 404-691-4822