Falls are indicators of morbidity among the elderly with two-fifths of those aged 75 and above at a greater risk of falls. An article on Fall Prevention by Carol Marleigh shows that falls have been attributed to visual impairments, dizziness and diseases of the blood vessels. Chiropractic care can help!
Examples of chiropractic care that can help reduce the potential for falls to occur:
Spinal manipulative therapy (SMT)
This involves the application of pressure on misaligned joints or the spine to place it in the right position to reduce nervous system interference.
Types of SMT
· Manual manipulation
· Instrument-assisted adjustments
Most patients prefer manual adjusting to instrument-assisted adjustments. Manual adjusting solves misalignment of deep bones or joints. It also relieves pain and stiffness, improves balance, and regulates the nervous system. It improves the patient's ability to function in life.
Adjustments are also a way of treating diseases and disorders such as Parkinson's disease, anxiety disorders and depression. Parkinson's disease is a condition in the nervous system that affects movement and causes tremors. Adjustments may be able to reverse these conditions conservatively, without involving any medication.
Exercise program
Following an exercise program will strengthen the muscles and help chronic pain and dizziness alongside balance concerns.
Balance control
This is an involuntary action handled by the sensory and motor response from the vestibular portion of your nervous system. Exercising can help counter instability by toning muscles. Motor control exercises, as performed in our clinic, have been proven to improve balance and create neuromuscular pathways so the nervous system may function at a higher level to maintain balance.
House modifications
These play a greater role in fall prevention, especially to home-based care patients. These modifications include:
· Improve lighting in dimly lit areas.
· Place sturdy handrails on both sides of the stairway.
· Place grab bars on toilets and showers.
Fall Prevention
Researchers cite many risk factors, but if you take proper steps, you can prevent -- or at least limit -- the chance of a fall.
One of the most effective roles a chiropractor can play is to make you better prepared for unforeseen physical pitfalls when they happen. Regular chiropractic visits create a blueprint of your physical state, so joint restrictions (commonly called misalignments) and degenerative trends can be detected early. Your practitioner can also review your current lifestyle choices and reduce your risk factors, which may include:
Weak lower body
Vitamin deficiencies
Difficulties with walking and balance
Foot pain or improper footwear
Home hazards such as uneven steps or area rugs
Your chiropractor may recommend exercises to strengthen your lower extremities or suggest a discipline to build balance, such as tai chi. And you may end up making changes to your home furnishings to increase the safety of your environment.
Because accidents occur when you least expect them, you want to maximize your physical preparedness and make necessary changes to stay out of harm’s way. You don’t want a mishap to leave you in a situation like Humpty Dumpty’s. Picking up the pieces may be harder than you think.
Not only is chiropractic great for your overall health, but it can also address injuries you may have sustained from a slip and fall accident. Our team at Preferred Chiropractic of Midland will evaluate your injuries and create a treatment plan unique to your needs. If you are suffering from an injury and believe chiropractic can help, schedule an appointment today!
