Toronto Chiropractic Tip: Practice Balance Every Day !
“I’m just not as steady as I once was.”
This isn’t an uncommon conversation starter at Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre from our Toronto chiropractic patients and/or their family members. Balance is crucial to avert falls and associated problems that may come with a fall…like breaking something! Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre presents some news about fall prevention and balance improvement 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 old who did not have any issues with walking found that 20.4% could not perform a 10 second one-legged-stand which managed to intensify the risk of all-cause mortality. (1) Failing the 10 second balance test was related to an 84% greater risk of dying within in the study time (12 years). This observational study did not state 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, Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre recommends standing next a counter to catch yourself if necessary. If today only 3 seconds are possible, keep practicing. you will do better as you practice! (2) Once you see some improvement, you’ll 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 differed in transfer of weight. Younger ones 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 tests 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 Toronto chiropractor in evaluating baseline balance.
ROLE OF CHIROPRACTIC MANIPULATION IN MOVEMENT CONTROL
A newly published paper described the usefulness 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 during office visits and in exercise sessions of practicing standing on one foot then the other at home, we will realize how well we can improve your balance!
CONTACT Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre
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 Toronto chiropractic appointment now. We look forward to hearing how much steadier you feel!
