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McHenry Chiropractic Tip: Practice Balance Every Day !

“I’m just not as balanced as I once was.”

This isn’t an unusual conversation starter at OrthoIllinois Chiropractic from our McHenry chiropractic patients and/or their family members. Balance is key to prevent falls and associated issues that may come with a fall…like breaking something! OrthoIllinois Chiropractic presents some news about fall prevention and balance enhancement with spinal manipulation and balance practice.

BALANCE AND AGING

The 50s bring some noticeable changes especially in relation to 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 issues with walking found that 20.4% could not perform a 10 second one-legged-stand which tended to increase the risk of all-cause mortality. (1) Failing the 10 second balance test was related to an 84% higher risk of dying within in the study time (12 years). This observational study didn’t declare cause/effect but suggested a link, a link that may encourage middle and older age folks to practice standing on one leg daily! To be safe, OrthoIllinois Chiropractic recommends standing near to a counter to stabilize yourself if necessary. If today only 3 seconds are possible, keep practicing. You’ll improve as you practice! (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 performed on a force plate measuring test for postural sway. None were different in weight transfer. Younger volunteers decreased 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 determined the “fallers” 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 beneficial to your McHenry chiropractor in determining baseline balance.

ROLE OF CHIROPRACTIC MANIPULATION IN MOVEMENT CONTROL

A newly published paper noted the benefit 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 OrthoIllinois Chiropractic

Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Nate McKee on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he illustrates relieving chiropractic care and re-establishing balance via The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management for patients with spinal stenosis.

Make your McHenry chiropractic appointment now. We look forward to seeing how much steadier you are!

 
OrthoIllinois Chiropractic shares recent research that notes how those who can balance on one leg for 10 seconds at a time have a lesser risk of death.  
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"This information and website content is not intended to diagnose, guarantee results, or recommend specific treatment or activity. It is designed to educate and inform only. Please consult your physician for a thorough examination leading to a diagnosis and well-planned treatment strategy. See more details on the DISCLAIMER page. Content is reviewed by Dr. James M. Cox I."