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Vancouver Chiropractic Tip: Practice Balance Every Day !

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

This isn’t an uncommon conversation starter at Vancouver Disc Centers from our Vancouver chiropractic patients and/or their family members. Balance is key to avert falls and related problems that may come with a fall…like breaking something! Vancouver Disc Centers offers some news about fall prevention and balance enhancement 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 increase the risk for falling and other health concerns. A report of 1702 people between 51 and 75 years old who didn't have any issues with walking found that 20.4% couldn’t perform a 10 second one-legged-stand which tended 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 time (12 years). This observational study didn’t declare cause/effect but suggested a link, a link that may insire middle and older age folks to practice standing on one leg daily! To be safe, Vancouver Disc Centers urges standing near to a tall chair to catch yourself if necessary. If you can only do 2 seconds today, keep working on it. you will do better as you practice! (2) Once you add a few seconds, 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 were different in transfer of weight. 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 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 Vancouver chiropractor in determining baseline balance.

ROLE OF CHIROPRACTIC MANIPULATION IN MOVEMENT CONTROL

A recently 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 Vancouver Disc Centers

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.

Schedule your Vancouver chiropractic appointment soon. We look forward to seeing how much steadier you are!

 
Vancouver Disc Centers 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."