“I’m just not as balanced as I once
was.”
This isn’t an uncommon conversation
starter at Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn from our Ashburn chiropractic patients
and/or their loved ones. Balance is
key to avert falls and
related issues that may come with a fall…like
breaking something! Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn presents some news
regarding fall prevention and balance enhancement
with spinal manipulation and balance practice.
BALANCE AND AGING
The 50s bring some noticeable changes
particularly in terms of 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 did not have any problems with walking found that 20.4% could
not do a 10 second one-legged-stand which tended
to intensify the risk of all-cause mortality. (1) Not being
able to do the 10 second balance test was related to an 84% higher risk of dying within in the
study time (12 yrs). This observational study did
not state cause/effect but proposed a connection,
a link that may insire middle and older age folks to practice
standing on one leg every day! To be safe, Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn
urges standing next a counter
to catch yourself if necessary. If today only 3 seconds are
possible, keep working on it.
you will improve over time!
(2) Once you see some improvement, 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 were different in transfer of
weight. Younger volunteers 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 commonly used ways
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 quite helpful to your
Ashburn chiropractor in determining baseline
balance.
ROLE OF CHIROPRACTIC MANIPULATION IN MOVEMENT CONTROL
A newly published paper described
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 measured
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 see how well we can enhance
your balance!
CONTACT Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn
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.
Make your Ashburn chiropractic
appointment soon. We look forward to seeing how
much steadier you are!