Helping our Golden Athletes!
We know that keeping active is one of the best ways to keep your body and mind healthy as you grow older, and regular Chiropractic care is one of the best ways you can ensure that you can stay at your best! A study done in New Zeeland in 2011 assessed how Chiropractic Care influences the performance of elderly people…. the results were amazing!
Improved Balance and less risk of falls.
Approximately 30 - 40% of older adults who still live independently suffer from at least one fall per year, and the number rises exponentially with increasing age. The study tracked a group of older adults getting regular adjustments over a 12-week period and found that they had a significantly better awareness of where their ankles were without looking down and had an increased stepping reaction, thus reducing their risk of falling and increasing their levels of confidence in moving around!
Increased ability to process multi sensory information.
The group of older adults was also tested using the 'Sound-induced Flash Illusion', a reaction test that uses both sound and flashing lights. The well-adjusted group showed a much better reaction than the placebo group. This is important because we know that the way the brain processes and integrates information from different sensory modalities changes as we get older, almost blunting our reactions.
Improved Quality of Life.
As a fun side to the study was that many of the participants documented other improvements in their physical quality of life, these included reduced dizziness, less hip pain, and improvements in chronic migraines, one participant reported that they were able to swallow food better after receiving Chiropractic care!
Sources:
Fall Risk Profile and Quality-of-Life Status of Older Chiropractic Patients; Kelly R.HoltBSc (Chiro), PGDipHScaPaul L.NooneB.App.Sci (Chiro), PhDbKrystalShortB.N RcpNcC. RainaElleyMBChB, PhDdHeidiHaavikBSc (Chiro), PhDe