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Manahawkin Chiropractic Tip: Practice Balance Every Day !

“I’m just not as balanced as I used to be.”

This is not an unusual conversation starter at Manahawkin Chiropractic Center from our Manahawkin chiropractic patients and/or their family members. Balance is crucial to avert falls and related issues that may come with a fall…like breaking something! Manahawkin Chiropractic Center presents some news about fall prevention and balance enhancement with spinal manipulation and balance practice.

BALANCE AND AGING

The 50s bring some hard to ignore changes particularly 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 didn't have any issues with walking found that 20.4% couldn’t do a 10 second one-legged-stand which managed to intensify the risk of all-cause mortality. (1) Failing the 10 second balance test had an 84% greater risk of dying within in the study period (12 years). This observational study did not declare cause/effect but suggested a connection, a link that may insire middle and older age folks to practice standing on one leg every day! To be safe, Manahawkin Chiropractic Center recommends standing next a counter to stabilize yourself if necessary. If today only 3 seconds are possible, keep working on it. you will improve over time! (2) Once you add a few seconds, you’ll want to do more! Proprioception exercises may help, too!

MORE ENCOURAGEMENT TO PRACTICE BALANCE

A research project compared how known “fallers,” “nonfallers,” and young volunteers did 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 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 quite helpful to your Manahawkin chiropractor in determining baseline balance.

ROLE OF CHIROPRACTIC MANIPULATION IN MOVEMENT CONTROL

A recently 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 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 realize how well we can enhance your balance!

CONTACT Manahawkin Chiropractic Center

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 Manahawkin chiropractic appointment today. We look forward to hearing how much steadier you are!

 
Manahawkin Chiropractic Center shares new research that describes 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."