It’s a fact that we lose bone mass as we age. Women actually lose 20% of bone density within the first 5 to 7 seven years post-menopause. Generally speaking though, men and women lose bone mass at the same rate.
Our calcium absorption decreases with age and this is what causes brittle bones and fractures more likely to occur. When it comes to your health as a senior, you want to be sure that you are doing everything you can to remain strong, healthy, and independent.
This may be why so many seniors turn to alternative healthcare like chiropractic services. These treatments are known to help ease aches, pains, and other common ailments that come with aging or certain conditions. But with the fact that our bones become a bit weaker as we age, some may wonder if there are any downsides to chiropractic care as you get older.
Keep reading to find out.
How Is Chiropractic Care Helpful as a Senior?
With chiropractic care, you can significantly reduce the risk of falls, ease the pain from current conditions, as well as increase your overall quality of life. In most cases, if you’re a senior in Florida, visiting the chiropractor if you suffer from conditions such as arthritis, can lessen pain and act as an alternative treatment. It can also be helpful for people who have osteoporosis, arthritis, and fibromyalgia, among other conditions. It may also be a useful method to help heal a variety of injuries while increasing recovery times,
A visit to the chiropractor can help with a range of issues from headaches and migraines, sleep issues, digestive problems, and the list goes on. Chiropractic care is often used as an alternative pain treatment, especially for those with chronic pain. This makes it a good option for seniors that may want to try a form of care aside from medication.
A Look at the Disadvantages
Believe it or not, chiropractics can cause more of a risk of stroke for seniors in some cases. What happens is when high-velocity manipulation of the neck causes vertebral artery dissection. That is what could lead to stroke and although visiting the chiropractor does promote wellness, it can also cause adverse events such as a stroke. The actual chance of a stroke resulting from spinal manipulation ranges from 0.05 to 1.46 for every 10,000,000 manipulations.
Luckily this makes the chance of this happening more slim. Aside from the more rare incidents, there are a few disadvantages that seniors living in Florida, or any location should be aware of such as;
- Bone damage risk Will increase
- Risk of injuries during treatment,
- Potential miscommunication between doctor and patient
- Increased soreness
You have to also take into consideration any pre-existing health conditions you may have or refer to a physician to determine if you are a good candidate for chiropractic care if you do suffer from a current condition.
Ways to Increase Your Bone Health
There are several ways to make your bones stronger as a senior. You can start by moderating or even eliminating the use of alcohol as well as smoking. Getting plenty of exercise and eating plenty of calcium-rich foods are ways that you can positively alter your diet to promote better bone strength as well. You should know that excess levels of caffeine intake could be linked to a higher risk of osteoporosis which might make you think more about that early morning coffee.
You can take calcium supplements and vitamin D to help increase bone strength in these cases as well. Basically, as mentioned, the main rules of thumb are to try your best to avoid alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine as they are known to affect bone density. Additionally, you can also consider taking glucosamine, a natural supplement known to help build healthy cartilage and strengthen joints and bones.
It does this by helping the body to make the chemicals that allow for the strengthening to occur. It’s also important to consult with your physician about potential supplement intake plans that would be appropriate for your care plan or get guidance for alternative options
It All Depends on the Individual
Chiropractic care is a safe and effective way to help ease general body pain. However, for seniors, in some cases, it can cause more adverse effects than relief. The truth is, a visit to the chiropractor is a good option for some while it may not be for others. If you have any conditions that you aren’t sure are appropriate for chiropractic care, always consult with your primary care doctor, and don’t be afraid to reach out to a chiropractor directly.
