Should Elderly Patients See a Chiropractor?
It’s no secret that many seniors are living longer, healthier lives. According to The National Institue of Aging, over 49 million Americans are age 65 or older. There are more senior citizens in America today than at any other time in history. As Americans continue to age, and the senior citizen demographic grows larger, many will seek healthy, alternative practices to maintain an active lifestyle. One method over 5% of older adults use annually are chiropractors. For seniors, regular chiropractic care can reduce the symptoms of common, age-related ailments. If you or a loved one are considering chiropractic care to manage age-related diseases or conditions, read on to learn the benefits of senior chiropractic care.
Arthritis, Osteoporosis, and Parkinson’s
Certain conditions, like arthritis, osteoporosis, and Parkinson’s, are brought about by senescence. While treatments and medications vary depending on the disease, the symptoms of all three diseases can be managed through regular visits to your chiropractor.
Arthritis
According to the Cleveland Clinic, 60% of adults over age 60 and 80% to 90% of patients over age 75 suffer from arthritis. Caused by inflammation and pain in the joints, arthritis is a debilitating disease that can reduce your range of motion and cause you to avoid physical activity. Thankfully, chiropractors offer a non-invasive, non-addictive treatment called chiropractic adjustments. According to The Joint, chiropractic adjustments “…reduce joint restrictions or misalignments in the spine and other joints in the body in an effort to reduce inflammation and improve the function of both the affected joint and nervous system. By increasing joint mobility and improving your nervous system function and spinal health, your body has the ability to better manage symptoms caused by osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.”
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis, or the loss of bone density as we age, can reduce your quality of life. While osteoporosis is more common in women, men can lose bone density as they age. To treat osteoporosis, chiropractors use chiropractic adjustments. In addition to reducing joint restrictions and misalignment, chiropractic adjustments also affect bone breakdown and replacement. A chiropractic adjustment stimulates the cells in charge of bone breakdown and replacement. So, when you schedule a chiropractic appointment, you’re not only improving your range of motion but the strength of your bones as well!
Parkinson’s
Parkinson’s disease is a debilitating condition caused by damaged nerve cells in the brain. In turn, these damaged cells produce reduced amounts of dopamine, which leads to shaking, weakness, and loss of balance. To treat Parkinson’s, chiropractors perform gentle chiropractic adjustments on specific parts of the body to improve nerve function and decrease Parkinson’s painful symptoms.
So, Should Senior Citizens See a Chiropractor?
The short answer? Yes! Senior citizens concerned about their balance, range of motion, or who suffer from any of the above conditions see a chiropractor. Dr. Hartle at the Allen County Family & Sports Chiropractic specializes in treating conditions through holistic practice and without the use of medication. Book a session with the Allen County Family & Sports Chiropractic today to ensure you or your loved one will enjoy a healthy lifestyle for years to come!