Sounds simple enough – and research is proving it. If you’re a senior,
particularly an older woman, remember this simple formula: more steps
equal a longer life. That’s the conclusion of a large U.S. study
involving more than 18,000 women (average age: 72 years) from the
Women’s Health Study. Participants agreed to wear an accelerometer to
track steps during waking hours over a seven-day period. Steps and
several measures of stepping intensity were variables assessed, and
researchers tracked mortality (death) from any cause over a four-year
period to correlate steps taken with mortality.
According to findings, published in JAMA Internal Medicine,
“as few as approximately 4,400 steps/d was significantly related to
lower mortality rates compared with approximately 2,700 steps/d. With
more steps per day, mortality rates progressively decreased before
leveling at approximately 7,500 steps/d. ” Just as significant,
“Stepping intensity was not clearly related to lower mortality rates
after accounting for total steps per day.”
In other words, it doesn’t really matter how you get your steps as long
as you get them! And keep in mind that while this study involved older
woman, one can reasonably assume that older men can also benefit from
taking a few more steps every day. Talk to your doctor to learn more,
especially if you have a health condition that increases your risk of
balance / falling issues when walking.
When was the last time you or someone you know suffered an episode of
back pain? Chances are it wasn’t that long ago. It might have forced you
to miss work, take painkillers, anti-inflammatories or other
medication, or just deal with the pain longer than you wanted to.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to do some simple things to try and prevent
back pain from happening in the first place? Here are a few easy ones to
get you started.
In the new millennium, the health care
pendulum has swung from treating symptoms toward prevention. It is a way
of thinking that is analogous to going to the dentist for your
six-month check-up or taking your car in
for regularly scheduled maintenance – you avoid problems before they
start, rather than waiting for something to happen and then “dealing
with it.” By that time, your car may be in the junk yard and you may be
relegated to long-term medication or even surgery.
Back
pain is the perfect example of a symptom too many people treat instead
of preventing, and the consequences are staggering. It is the most
frequent cause of activity limitation in people younger than 45 years
old. Approximately one quarter of U.S. adults reported having low back
pain lasting at least one whole day in the past three months and 7.6
percent reported at least one episode of severe acute low back pain
within a one-year period. Low back pain is also very costly:
Approximately 5 percent of people with back pain disability account for
75 percent of the costs associated with low back pain. Americans spend
at least $50 billion per year on back pain – and that’s just what gets
reported.
With all that said, how are you going to prevent back pain? Here are
four things you can start doing today to reduce your risk of suffering
back pain and its costly (physically, emotionally and financially)
consequences:
1. Get Adjusted by Your Chiropractor
Your muscles, bones and ligaments are stressed continuously by normal daily activities: driving, sitting at the computer, lifting your kids, doing exercise and countless other things. These little stresses add up over time and misalign the joints of your spine, arms and legs. The misalignments can then lead to muscle tightness, spasms, joint stiffness and pain. Although chiropractors commonly see patients who are in pain, getting spinal tune-ups when you are feeling “fine” will keep you feeling fine. Adjustments will put the bones and joints into healthier positions, which will also help muscle tone.
2. Practice Proper Ergonomics
Think safety: When you make your everyday activities safe to perform, it will help reduce the undue stress on your body.
This includes having your computer work stations at home and at your
office set up properly for your body. Generally speaking, the keyboard
height should be the same height as when your arms are comfortably at
your side with the elbows bent. The mouse should also be close to your
dominant wrist while your arms are at your sides.
Avoid poor posture:
Whenever you sit, it is safest to sit on a full-back chair with plenty
of support. Crossing the ankles is fine, but do not cross your legs.
This puts tremendous pressure on the lower back, contributing to back
pain. Also, if you are experiencing low back pain, it’s a good idea not
to sit on the couch or sofa, since they are typically too soft and
unsupportive for the low back.
Low Back Pain: One Symptom, Many Potential Causes (Including the Following) • Strenuous activity, overuse or improper use (repetitive or heavy lifting, vibration, pressure, etc.)
• Physical trauma, injury or fracture
• Obesity (often caused by increased weight on the spine and pressure on the discs)
• Poor muscle tone in the core or stabilizing muscles of the back
• Tightness, spasm, injury and strain of back muscles
• Joint problems (e.g., spinal stenosis – narrowing of the spinal
canal, which compresses the spinal cord and nerve roots)
• Protruding or herniated (slipped) disk
• Arthritis or degeneration of vertebrae due to stress and the
effects of aging – osteoarthritis, spondylitis (inflammation of the
spinal vertebrae), compression fractures, etc.
Lift properly:
When lifting items, use the legs and the trunk of the body rather than
the arms. Always bring objects closer to your abdomen or chest, as that
is the center of gravity and support for most people. Try to avoid
bending the back while you lift.
Sleep well: The most supportive position for the body during sleep
is on your back with a pillow under your knees. The next best position
is on your side with a pillow between your knees and your head on a
pillow that is thick enough to span the distance of your neck to the
shoulders. A neck pillow that is too thin will kink the neck and could
lead to neck and upper back pain down the road.
3. Exercise Regularly
We
all know how important it is to participate in some type of regular
exercise. Some of you already do that. Whether it be walking, playing
sports or going to the gym, make sure you set up a program that keeps
you consistent. Exercise helps the human body in so many ways, but one
of the most important aspects involves stretching and strengthening of
your back muscles. Often these muscles are referred to as core muscles
of the body because they are located very close to the spine.
The core muscles help move and protect your spine when it is stressed or strained. By keeping them flexible and toned, you prevent pain and injuries from happening. When you are developing an exercise plan, talk to your doctor for ideas on what areas of the body you should specifically focus on to get maximum results, both in terms of overall fitness and protecting the back from injury.
4. Avoid Unhealthy Lifestyle Habits
Stress. Emotional
stress can cause muscle tension, which can lead to back pain (it also
can lead to heart problems, chemical imbalances, an inability to sleep
and a host of other bad things).
It’s always hard to maintain balance in your life between work,
family and play, but it goes a long way toward helping your emotional
stress.
Reducing stress
can be as simple as scheduling some quiet time to be alone, doing yoga
or meditation, taking a bath or just sitting and doing breathing
exercises. Whatever activity you find relaxing or energizing, take time
to do it. Down time allows you to unplug from the world and get
grounded. It also allows your body to reset itself so you can deal with
the next crisis or problem that’s sure to arise.
Poor nutrition. Watching
what you eat is another important factor to consider, because excess
weight literally “weighs you down,” which can contribute to back pain.
Quite simply, losing excess weight in a healthy manner will take
pressure off your lower back and reduce stress on the vertebrae.
It
is truly amazing that our society is now making an active transition
from listening to symptoms or pain to preventative health care. Now is
the time for you to be able to take a more active role in deciding how
your future health will play out. Armed with the tips discussed above,
you can make changes now that will help your back and your overall
well-being for years to come. The power of health is in your hands.
The Back Pain Epidemic
Back
pain has become an epidemic in our modern society – up to 85 percent of
all people will experience back pain at some time in their life, and it
is the fifth most common reason for all physician visits in the United
States. According to the statistics, if you’re in a room with three
other people, one of you has suffered low back pain for an entire day or
more in the previous three months and only one of you (if they’re
lucky) will avoid suffering back pain at some point in their lifetime.
Kevin M. Wong, DC,
a 1996 graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic West in San Jose,
Calif., practices full-time in Orinda, Calif. He is also an instructor
for Foot Levelers, Inc.
Fasting is a buzzword these days because of its potential
benefits when it comes not only to weight loss, but also overall health
and longevity. Fasting also may be a literal lifesaver for patients who
have a heart condition that requires cardiac catheterization – a
procedure in which a long, thin tube is threaded from an artery or vein
in the groin, neck or arm through blood vessels to the heart.
Catheterization may be done to diagnose a cardiovascular condition,
but it also may be done to help treat one, such as in the case of
coronary angioplasty or stenting. Regardless, a patient who requires
cardiac catheterization generally doesn’t have an altogether healthy
heart, which increases the risk of a cardiac event such as a heart
attack or stroke.
Enter fasting, which research suggests lowers the risk of heart failure
or cardiac-related death in patients who’ve undergone catheterization.
Among patients tracked for nearly five years following the procedure,
those who fasted on a regular basis were more likely to survive compared
to patients who did not fast. Other factors that could have impacted
survival rates, such as medications, lifestyle behaviors (including
heart healthy vs. risky behaviors) and other health issues were taken
into account.
Balance and brain health are two important health variables that can
suffer dramatically as we age. Fortunately, research suggests improving
one can benefit the other, particularly in terms of their interaction.
Researchers have found that senior patients who perform balance
exercises improve brain neuroplasticity – essentially the brain’s
ability to restructure itself – and reduce cortical overactivation, both
of which can benefit overall balance.
In their study, a summary of which appears in the Journal of Clinical Medicine,
researchers divided older adults (average age, 65 years) into three
groups: one that performed classic balance exercises, another that
performed virtual reality balance exercises, and a control group. The
study lasted 12 weeks, and neuroimaging studies were conducted at the
beginning and end of the 12-week training period.
In reviewing their findings, the researchers concluded: “With age,
postural control may become more consciously controlled (cortically).
Systematic [balance training] of moderate intensity may reverse
age-related cortical over-activations and appear to be a factor
mediating neuroplasticity in older adults.” They also found that
classical balance exercises significantly increased serum BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), important because “aging or neurodegenerative diseases are associated with a decrease in BDNF expression.” [Italics added]
Getting older? As your doctor for help developing a balance / posture program. Good for your body, good for your brain!
To Your Health September, 2008 (Vol. 02, Issue 09)
By John Hanks, DC
Far too often, people attribute neck pain to stress
and take medication to mask the symptoms. Sound familiar? Fortunately,
if you’re a chiropractic patient, you know there’s a better, safer way.
My neck feels OK right now. I can turn my head left and right and down
and back. (Well, that bending back thing actually doesn’t feel very
good right now.) So, maybe my neck does get a little annoying sometimes.
But I have no idea when this periodic discomfort started.
Sound familiar? You’re not alone. A report published earlier this year in the medical journal Spine
revealed many people are often a little hazy on when their neck pain
started. This monumental study, sponsored by the World Health
Organization (WHO), started about seven years ago. WHO launched the Bone
and Joint Decade and assigned a special task force the job of reviewing
all the research about neck and associated disorders, and then
evaluating the best treatment options. They reviewed 31,878 citations,
1,203 reviewed papers and four research projects – it makes me tired
just thinking about it.
Sure enough, most people often don’t remember when their neck discomfort
or pain really got started. Researchers concluded, “There is usually no
single cause of neck pain.” Unless you have had an injury to your neck
like “whiplash” from an auto accident, neck pain usually sneaks up on
you. The study notes neck pain is quite common, and most people simply
carry on with their activities of daily living. However, about 5 percent
to 10 percent of people develop debilitating symptoms. Unfortunately,
even among those folks who do not have disabling pain, the majority find
their neck pain is stubborn and recurrent to some degree.
The
task force also came up with a new classification of neck pain, which
seems to be one of those things researchers like to do. They suggested
four grades of neck problems, no matter whether it comes from injury,
arthritis or any other cause. To paraphrase:
Grade I: Neck pain that doesn’t interfere with living. Grade II: Neck pain that does significantly interfere with living. Grade III: Neck pain associated with a “pinched nerve,” causing radiating pain, weakness or numbness in the arm. Grade IV: Neck pain associated with tumors, infections, fractures and other serious conditions.
As you might guess, most neck discomfort is Grade I and II. However, what was quite gratifying from the task force report was the acknowledgement of what doctors of chiropractic already know: “Cervical manipulation is a reasonable option for people with Grade I or II neck pain.”
On a near-daily basis, a patient with a significant neck disorder
tells me their pain has decreased and they are more functional as a
result of chiropractic care. Recently, a patient with chronic neck pain
told me he had been sleeping in a recliner chair since he could not get
comfortable enough in bed to sleep through the night. “Hands-on” manual
treatment in my office finally improved his condition to the point he
could once again join his wife (and their Rottweiler) in bed.
Chiropractors
“adjust” the joints, muscles and connective tissues of the body in
order to improve motion by reducing restrictions and nerve irritation.
Concerning patients with Grade III neck problems including “pinching” or
crowding of larger nerves, the Spine article suggests more
research is needed to identify the best candidates for manual or
manipulative treatment. Of course, chiropractors are the recognized
experts in this type of care and are best trained to make that
determination.
The renewed interest in neck disorders among
clinical researchers has spurred some interesting studies. In the
March/April issue of the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (JMPT),
Canadian scientists have shown that arthritis in the neck might affect
balance. This could mean that in cases of poor balance or repeated falls
among the elderly, treatment of the cervical spine might have value.
This could represent a “top down” strategy, which is a bit different
from the “bottom up” approach to balance training more commonly utilized
in rehabilitation.
In the February issue of JMPT, a complementary study by New
Zealand and Canadian researchers suggested spinal manipulation of the
neck can relax muscles in the arms and could be useful in relaxation of
the whole body. This implies anything causing tightness in the neck
joints also might cause muscle pain in the arms or elsewhere. Since
manipulation and manual therapy are primary treatments for neck
problems, a doctor of chiropractic should be among the first providers
consulted for this type of pain.
So, how fast can a patient with neck pain expect to feel better with chiropractic care? By chance, in the same March issue of JMPT,
British authors studied which neck symptoms might respond the quickest
to hands-on treatment. Overall, considering all possible neck area
complaints, about 70 percent of patients reported immediate favorable
responses to manipulation. However, if patients complained about more
specific things like headaches, shoulder or arm pain, reduced arm or
neck movement, neck pain, or upper or middle back pain, the percentage
of those who reported immediate improvement in pain rose to an
incredible 95 percent!
The popular humorist Nora Ephron wrote a book titled I Feel Bad About My Neck,
in which she describes her thoughts about being a woman getting older.
This also has been called the “I Hate My Neck” book. Well, hating your
neck won’t make it better, but chances are a trip to the chiropractor
will.
John Hanks, DC, is a board-certified
chiropractic orthopedist and is certified as a chiropractic sports
physician. He currently serves as the senior chiropractic consultant in
the Department of Complementary Medicine, Kaiser Permanente, Rocky
Mountain Region.
Our children are consuming far too much sugar and they’re starting at
an increasingly younger age. That’s a big problem because excess sugar,
particularly if it doesn’t come from a natural, whole-food source such
as fruit (although too much fruit sugar isn’t good for you, either) can
contribute to the same health issues it causes in adults: weight gain,
diabetes, cavities and more.
How bad is it? A recent study examined added sugar consumption among
U.S. infants and toddlers (ages 6-23 months), using data from the
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Findings,
which were published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics,
revealed that during the study window (2011-2016), 84.4 percent of
infants and toddlers consumed added sugars on any given day. Yogurt,
baby food snacks / treats and sweet bakery products topped the list for
infants, while fruit drinks, sugars / sweets and sweet bakery products
led the way for toddlers.
Overall, toddlers were more likely to consume added sugars than infants,
although the likelihood was high in both groups (98.3 percent of
toddlers vs. 60.6 percent of infants). Average daily consumption of
added sugars.
If you haven’t noticed, sources of added sugar are everywhere.
That reality raises two important points: 1) The more you can teach
children of any age to avoid added sugar, the better; and 2) If you
don’t, they’ll be more likely to suffer the health consequences of
living in a sugar-filled world. For American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
guidelines on sugar consumption for infants and young children,
including ways to satisfy their sweet tooth without added sugar, click here.
Can’t seem to stop yourself from nightly trips to the fridge and/or
pantry? It’s not just your waistline and sleep routine that you’re
putting at risk. Eating more calories in the evening is associated with
poorer cardiovascular health, according to new research involving more
than 100 women.
In the study, researchers examined heart health at baseline and one year later based on seven modifiable risk factors
established by the American Heart Association: blood pressure,
cholesterol, blood sugar, physical activity, diet, weight and smoking.
Women averaged 33 years of age at the start of the study and completed
one-week food diaries at both time points.
Women who consumed more calories after 6 p.m. were more likely to have
poorer cardiovascular health compared with women who at less calories at
or after that time of day. Each 1 percent increase in caloric intake
after 6 p.m. reduced cardiovascular health scores, as did each 1 percent
increase in calorie consumption after 8 p.m.
The lesson: Eat plenty of good food throughout the day, but don’t
load up on calories late in the day compared to earlier. These findings
add to previous research suggesting heavy eating in the evening hours
may promote weight gain, slow metabolism, and even impair sleep. Talk to
your doctor for more information.
Vitamin D deficiency officially emerged as an important risk factor
for chronic disease in the early 2000s. This finding was a product of
scientific research, rather than a consensus statement from a health
policy group or government organization.
It was not until around 2010 that the Institute of Medicine (IOM) of
the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine came out
with an updated official statement about vitamin D needs.1
The IOM [now known as the National Academy of Medicine] is actually a
private entity that advises the U.S. government. The IOM set the
estimated requirement at 400 IU/day for all age groups and set the
upper-level intake at 4,000 IU/day for anyone age 9 or older.
What’s the Basis for the RDA?
This IOM report was met with harsh criticism from vitamin D
researchers, none of whom was invited to participate in process that led
to the recommendations. For example, Drs. R.P. Heaney and M.F. Holick
stated:2
The IOM recommendations for vitamin D fail in a major way on logic,
on science, and on effective public guidance. … We have deliberately
avoided a mind-numbing laundry list of the vast number of factual
inaccuracies and misinterpretations of the report. … For now, our
recommendation to the American public is that the IOM report should be
taken with a grain of salt (another nutrient the IOM finds risky).
In short, by following the IOM guidelines, many people will still not
achieve adequate vitamin D levels [measured as 25(OH)D], which most labs
set at 30-100 ng/mL. Some vitamin D researchers argue that 40 ng/mL
should be considered the low end of normal, likely because many people
do not achieve the bone protection effect of vitamin D until this level
is achieved.2 My personal impression is that we should try to maintain a 25(OH)D level of at least 70 ng/mL.3
Adequate Levels, Toxicity and Other Considerations
To achieve adequate vitamin D levels, we must either get adequate sun exposure or take a vitamin D3 supplement. Unnecessary fear often enters a person’s mind when they consider how much supplemental vitamin D3 is safe. Dr. Heaney, whom I mentioned above, has explained that 10,000 IU/day should be the safe upper limit.4
I realize 10,000 may see like a lot, but that is because we typically
think of supplementation in milligram (mg) or gram (g) amounts.
With this in mind, it should be understood that 40,000 IU of vitamin D3 is just 1 mg. In other words, 10,000 IU is just .25 mg or 250 mcg.
The IOM’s report states that “very high levels of vitamin D (above
10,000 IUs per day) are known to cause kidney and tissue damage.” In
contrast, the DRI [Dietary Reference Intakes] book published by the IOM5
says 10,000-40,000 IU per day is the threshold for toxicity.5
It is important to understand that vitamin D toxicity cannot be determined based on how much vitamin D3
is taken on a daily basis; it is correlated to serum 25(OH)D levels.
The IOM’s DRI book for vitamin D and calcium states that vitamin D
toxicity is not identified until serum 25(OH)D reaches 200-240 ng/mL or
higher. Based on this, you can see why it is foolish to worry about the
supplemental dose of vitamin D3. Even worse, it is especially problematic that the IOM would suggest taking 10,000 IU/day causes kidney and tissue damage.
The, dare I say, sole focus related to vitamin D supplementation
should be one’s 25(OH)D level. The minimum goal should be to reach at
least 40 ng/mL, all the while knowing 100 ng/mL is within the normal
range and signs of toxicity will not typically appear until at least 200
ng/mL is exceeded.
This means there should be zero emotion about taking vitamin D3
supplements. If you have normal serum 25(OH)D because you are in the
sun a lot, then there is no need to supplement. Otherwise, your
supplemental level should be tailored to keep your 25(OH)D at 40 ng/mL
higher. This is why the RDA or RDI fails: for vitamin D, it is not about
your intake, it is about achieving a proper 25(OH)D level.
Why Vitamin D Matters: A Profound Micronutrient
Here is why you should care about your 25(OH)D level. Vitamin D is
involved in the modulation of more than 1,000 different genes. In
particular, vitamin D modulates immune cell expression. A deficiency in
vitamin D leads to an overproduction of pro-inflammatory Th1 cells and
an underproduction of anti-inflammatory Th2 and T-regulatory cells. The
outcome is an overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as
IL-1, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor; and an underproduction of IL-10,
which is a key anti-inflammatory cytokine.3
The same shift to overproduce pro-inflammatory cytokines occurs when
one lacks magnesium and omega-3 fatty acids. Obesity also leads to the
same state of chronic inflammation. This should alert you to the reason
why just supplementing with vitamin D to achieve normal levels may not
relieve patients from pain, depression and other pro-inflammatory
conditions.3 Studies that report about the ineffectiveness of
vitamin D do not comment on the other nutritional factors that promote
the same state of chronic inflammation as vitamin D deficiency.
My suggestion is to normalize the many pro-inflammatory markers that
are easy to measure, of which vitamin D is just one. Lipids, glucose,
body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio are other examples to take into
account. Talk to your doctor for more information.3,6
References
Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium and Vitamin D. Institute of
Medicine of the National Academies, Brief Report, November 2010.
Heaney RP, Holick MF. Why the IOM recommendations for vitamin D are deficient. J Bone Miner Res, 2011;26:452-54.
Seaman DR. The DeFlame Diet: DeFlame Your Diet, Body, and Mind. Wilmington, NC: Shadow Panther Press, 2016: p.p. 213-218.
Hathcock JN, Shao A, Vieth R, Heaney RP. Risk assessment for vitamin D. Am J Clin Nutr, 2007;85(1):6-18.
DRI Dietary Reference Intakes: Calcium and Vitamin D. Institute of Medicine of the National Academies. Washington, D.C.: National Academies Press, 2011.
Seaman DR. Body mass index and musculoskeletal pain: is there a connection? Chiro Man Ther, 2013;21:15.
As we’ve discussed several times already this year (and on an annual
basis), the holidays bring not only the joy of the season, but
unfortunately, their fair share of stress as well. Running through
malls, organizing events, wrapping up end-of-year work details, and
myriad other activities specific to the holiday season can take their
toll on even the most calm, low-stress person.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
With the right attention to stress-reducing strategies, you can avoid
the madness (or at least mitigate its impact on your quality of life)
and keep your holidays sane. Here are four ways to do it:
1. Two for the Price of One: When you’re crumbling under the weight of an oppressive To-Do List
you think you’ll never complete, multitasking can be your best friend.
It all starts by organizing that list to group responsibilities /
to-do’s that can be accomplished at the same time or in close proximity.
Need to run to the mall for a few gifts, grab some lights for the tree
and stop by the in-laws for dinner? Determine the best route to ensure
you’re not running around town or consuming your entire day. Simple
scheduling tactics can help, too: perhaps a holiday lunch can be
switched to breakfast if you have other duties to attend to in the
morning, so you can take care of everything in the a.m. and have your
p.m. to enjoy, stress-free.
2. Stick to the Plan: Now is definitely not the time to stop exercising
and eating right. You may think this is actually the perfect time to
take a well-deserved break … but how will you feel? For most people,
routine is a source of comfort and self-confidence, particularly when it
involves how they look and feel. So stick to the plan that’s worked all
year; your body and mind will thank you for it.
3. Rise and Shine: No, we’re not recommending you wake up
early every day during the holiday season, although many people find
getting up early and going to sleep at a reasonable hour is preferable
to the other way around from a stress perspective. We’re actually
talking about reducing your stress this time of year by getting things
done early. No doubt you’ve got your fair share of things to do in
addition to your “regular” daily responsibilities. One thing’s certain:
If you leave things until the last minute, you’ll increase the
likelihood that you won’t get everything done, and you’ll undoubtedly
elevate your stress levels.
4. The More the Merrier: We’ll end today’s lesson with the
one too many people completely overlook, not only during the holiday
season, but throughout the year. A top cause of stress is feeling
overwhelmed; thinking you have to get too much done all by yourself. But
why? Unless you’re a hermit, you’re not alone, so rely on friends,
family and loved ones – the very people whose company you should be
enjoying and celebrating this season – to help with the kids, your
shopping list, meal preparation, or just giving you an hour or two of
peace and quiet. It’s a great way to keep stress at bay as the year
winds down.
Your spine is designed to handle a great deal of life’s daily
stresses, but over time, it all adds up. As we age, the discs that
cushion the spinal vertebrae begin to shrink and wear down; while the
spinal column can narrow, pinching the spinal cord and spinal nerves.
The result in many cases: pain, stiffness, and a decline in overall function and mobility.
Bad news at any time, but as we get up in years, those are exactly
the things we want to avoid. After all, isn’t living a relatively
pain-free, fully functional life what everyone envisions enjoying in
their Golden Years? That’s where your chiropractor comes in, and not
just from a health perspective.
Researchers studying Medicare patients with spine conditions who
relocated at least once during a five-year period made a fascinating
discovery: Older adults who moved to an area with higher chiropractic
accessibility (in other words, easier access to the services of a
chiropractor) spent less on spine care than seniors who moved to an area
with lower chiropractic accessibility (more difficult access to
chiropractic services).
Easier access to a chiropractor presumably meant an easier time managing
their spine condition with chiropractic, rather than medical care. In
fact, researchers noted that costs for medical evaluation and
management, and diagnostic imaging and testing, were impacted (higher or
lower) when access to chiropractic was higher or lower, respectively.
Findings appeared in the American Journal of Managed Care.
Americans spend more on health care than any other nation in the
world, and evidence suggests much of that spending comes by way of
Medicare and other federal health systems. Could better access to
chiropractic be the solution? When it comes to spinal care, the numbers
don’t lie. And of course, we haven’t even talked about the benefits of
chiropractic for lifelong spinal health – but your chiropractor
certainly can. Just ask.
