Williamson Chiropractic Tip: Practice Balance Every Day !

“I’m just not as steady as I once was.”

This isn’t an uncommon conversation starter at Apple Country Chiropractic from our Williamson chiropractic patients and/or their family members. Balance is key to avert falls and associated problems that may come with a fall…like breaking something! Apple Country Chiropractic offers 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 increase the risk for falling and other health concerns. A study of 1702 people between 51 and 75 years of age who didn't have any issues with walking found that 20.4% could not perform a 10 second one-legged-stand which tended to intensify the risk of all-cause mortality. (1) Failing the 10 second balance test had an 84% greater risk of dying within in the study time (12 yrs). This observational study did not state cause/effect but suggested a link, a link that may encourage middle and older age folks to practice standing on one leg daily! To be safe, Apple Country Chiropractic urges standing near to a tall chair to catch yourself if necessary. If you can only do 2 seconds today, keep practicing. You’ll improve over time! (2) Once you see some improvement, you will want to do more! Proprioception exercises may help, too!

MORE ENCOURAGEMENT TO PRACTICE BALANCE

A study compared how known “fallers,” “nonfallers,” and young volunteers performed on a force plate measuring test for postural sway. None differed in weight transfer. Younger ones 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 designed one-leg-stance test established who the “fallers” were better – 100% - than other commonly used 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 Williamson chiropractor in evaluating baseline balance.

ROLE OF CHIROPRACTIC MANIPULATION IN MOVEMENT CONTROL

A newly published paper noted the benefit 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 reducing postural sway and entropy (forward/backward movement) as determined 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 Apple Country Chiropractic

Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Nate McKee on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he illustrates relieving chiropractic care and re-establishing balance via The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management for patients with spinal stenosis.

Schedule your Williamson chiropractic appointment soon. We look forward to hearing how much better balanced you are!

 
Apple Country Chiropractic shares recent research that describes how those who can balance on one leg for 10 seconds at a time have a lesser risk of death.  
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"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."