The Benefits of Geriatric Chiropractic Care

Is Chiropractic Safe for the Elderly?

Many older adults have the mindset that it’s either too late in life for them to get help with their pain issues or that chiropractic care is harmful to their bodies. However, this is a huge misconception. Chiropractic care is helpful for people of all ages, even if you think it’s “too late.” 
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​Geriatric chiropractic care centers on providing gentle, customized treatment plans that address the unique needs of seniors. Chiropractors carefully consider any age-related musculoskeletal concerns, with the overarching goal of improving overall well-being. This approach aims to alleviate pain and provide much-needed relief to seniors, enabling them to live fuller, more comfortable lives.

Gentle and Effective Pain Relief For Seniors

The vast majority of chiropractic patients make their appointments because of pain issues. Research from the CDC shows that 39% of Americans have experienced back pain within the last 3 months, making it one of the most prevalent pain sites. Take into account that our bodies become more fragile as we age, and it’s no surprise that pain and chronic conditions such as arthritis have become more common. Oftentimes for older adults, daily tasks become more difficult, pain becomes prevalent, and in many cases, multiple medications are taken daily.
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But it doesn’t have to be this way. Geriatric chiropractic care offers a non-invasive treatment for preventative care and pain management. Chiropractors custom tailor each of their treatments according to the needs of the individual. This means that if they need to be gentle, they’ll be gentle. For example, when working with patients who have arthritis, chiropractors may need to forgo certain techniques and implement others. A geriatric chiropractor’s job is to ensure treatment — even if it is supplementary working with other types of pain remedies. Chiropractors will fix the subluxations that affect the spine, relieving pain and inflammation using drug-free and non-invasive methods.

Reduce Fall Risk by Improving Range of Motion, Coordination, and Balance

​Because bones grow fragile and muscles become weaker as we age, it only comes naturally that range of motion decreases and balance becomes harder to maintain. According to the CDC,  approximately 3 million geriatric patients are treated for fall injuries in emergency departments, and 1 in 5 of those falls lead to serious injury such as traumatic brain injuries or hip fractures. 

​Geriatric chiropractic care aims not only to relieve pain but to strengthen the muscles around the spine by prescribing simple daily stretches and exercises. These exercises don’t take long to complete, but will go a very long way in improving balance and reducing fall risk. Since the exercises strengthen the muscles, they also help to neutralize any severe injuries that come with falling down.

Mitigate the Impact of Chronic Illnesses

A study titled “Chiropractic for the Elderly” was done in the Journal called Topics of Clinical Chiropractic. In it, they found senior citizens showed a decrease in the severity of arthritis in those who had received regular chiropractic care as they aged. Other findings included:

• Chiropractic patients were more likely to exercise than their non-chiro counterparts.
• After three years of periodic visits, they found that 5% of elderly chiro patients were in nursing homes vs. 48% of non-chiro patients.
• Because of individualized treatment and strength training outside of the chiropractor’s office, patients were less likely to need assistance doing everyday tasks.

It’s never too late to start improving your range of motion, relieving pain, or decreasing the severity of your chronic condition. Chiropractic aims to strengthen your spine and increase healthy activity in general. So if you’re ready to start on the path to a healthy you, contact Petrak Family Chiropractic Center today to schedule your free consultation!

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