Over time, our bodies begin to naturally degenerate. It’s a simple fact of nature. However, many aspects of our modern lives, such as inflammatory diets, are causing some seniors to experience degeneration more severely and earlier in life than ever before. Many of seniors are unaware of the benefits of chiropractic care, or they’re hesitant to try it because they fear further injury. As many who’ve seen a Toms River chiropractor can attest, treatment holds many benefits for seniors.
Pain Relief
Many are familiar with the common aches and pains associated with aging. Actions that were once simple, like getting out of bed in the morning or standing for long periods of time, become shrouded in pain or discomfort. Many seniors rely on daily regimens of pain relievers simply to make it through the day. However, pain relievers and anti-inflammatories only mask the symptoms of an issue; they don’t actually fix the problem. In addition, taking too many NSAIDs or painkillers can lead to additional problems, like ulcers or addiction.
Many chronic pain-related issues that are associated with old age, such as back or joint issues, can actually be sourced back to misalignments in the spine. A Toms River chiropractor could correct these misalignments at their source, creating a natural relief from pain.
Increase Range of Motion
With age, daily motions like reaching, bending, and grasping can become difficult. Joints become worn and stiff, which negatively impacts mobility and range of motion. In addition to relieving pain, adjustments from a Toms River Chiropractor can help improve the neural connectivity between the spine and extremities, as well as restore proper blood circulation. This means seniors can move freely without being hampered by stiffness or discomfort. With increased mobility, they can continue doing the activities they enjoy, like gardening, painting, or bending over to pick up their grandchildren.
Improved Balance and Coordination
The back joints of the cervical spine, located in the neck region, is filled with mechanoreceptors, which are responsible for providing the brain with information about the location of the head in relation to the body. With age comes wear and tear to these mechanoreceptors, and the messages they send can become delayed or inaccurate. The result is a loss of proprioception or sense of body awareness. The brain’s awareness of the body’s position in relation to the space around it becomes compromised, leading to poor balance and coordination.
Chiropractic care stimulates the mechanoreceptors in the cervical spine, restoring them to normal function. Seniors who receive chiropractic benefit from better balance and coordination, which means fewer falls and a lower risk of injury.
Decreased Joint Degeneration
Over the course of one’s life, daily wear and tear can cause joints to become misaligned. Though these misaligned joints might not pose an immediate problem, over time they can become a problem. Misaligned joints, much like misaligned wheels on an axle, will wear out prematurely. You may still get decent mileage out of them, but they will break down sooner than properly aligned joints. A Toms River Chiropractor will correct any possible misalignments, which will normalize the spine, decreasing pressure and relieving stress.
Prevent Surgery
As much as chiropractic can be used to treat various ailments and issues, it can also be used as a preventative measure. Left untended, minor aches and pains in youth can result in the need for joint replacement or surgery as we age. Seniors who are still relatively mobile can benefit from chiropractic care for its preventative measures.
Increasing flexibility and pliability can improve conditions and possibly stave off harsh operations like hip replacement or rheumatoid arthritis surgery. Prevention is especially beneficial for seniors, as invasive surgeries take an extra toll on older bodies and recovery is a more arduous process.
Ready to See Your Toms River Chiropractor?
Chiropractic care combats those symptoms commonly associated with aging. It increases a person’s flexibility and mobility, allowing seniors to live free of assistance for longer periods of time. For seniors, this means more years spent independently, enjoying life and all it has to offer.
Total Health Chiropractic Center’s Dr. Phil Altieri is the go-to Toms River chiropractor, and for good reason. His attentive, dedicated approach to his patients’ wellbeing is clear from the outset. He will give you the individualized chiropractic care you need. Whether you need treatment for an existing issue or you simply want to prevent a future one, Dr. Phil will personally develop a course of adjustments to suit your needs. Call today to schedule your appointment!
