Ashburn and Herndon Chiropractic Tip: Practice Balance Every Day !
“I’m just not as balanced as I once was.”
This is not an unusual conversation starter at Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn from our Ashburn and Herndon chiropractic patients and/or their loved ones. Balance is key to prevent falls and associated issues that may come with it…like breaking something! Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn presents some news about fall prevention and balance improvement with spinal manipulation and balance practice.
BALANCE AND AGING
The 50s bring some noticeable changes especially in terms of balance. Such changes in balance also boost the risk for falling and other health concerns. A study of 1702 people between 51 and 75 years old who had no issues with walking found that 20.4% could not perform a 10 second one-legged-stand which managed to increase the risk of all-cause mortality. (1) Not being able to do the 10 second balance test was associated with an 84% greater risk of dying within in the study period (12 yrs). This observational study did not declare cause/effect but suggested a link, a link that may encourage middle and older age folks to practice standing on one leg every day! To be safe, Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn urges standing near to a counter to catch yourself if necessary. If you can only do 2 seconds today, keep working on it. You’ll do better as you practice! (2) Once you add a few seconds, you’ll 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 gauging test for postural sway. None differed in weight transfer. 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 designed one-leg-stance test determined the “fallers” better – 100% - than other more common 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 beneficial to your Ashburn and Herndon chiropractor in determining baseline balance.
ROLE OF CHIROPRACTIC MANIPULATION IN MOVEMENT CONTROL
A newly published paper noted the usefulness of (Cox®) flexion distraction spinal manipulation for lumbar spinal stenosis patients by improving 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 assessed 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 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 and Herndon chiropractic appointment soon. We look forward to seeing how much better balanced you are!
