Disability is not inevitable
While chiropractic is the most popular manual therapy in the United States popular with seniors, in France, chiropractic care still sometimes arouses some reluctance among those over 65. However, the more the body ages, the more it becomes fragile: the bones wear out, the joints lose their flexibility, the muscles melt … It is therefore advisable to be regularly examined by a chiropractor for disorders or pathologies related to age (osteoarthritis, osteoporosis) in order to avoid degeneration, ankylosis or even functional impotence (that is to say the inability to use a limb in a normal way).
“Osteoarthritis can be particularly disabling but it is not inevitable” emphasizes Caroline Lambert, chiropractor and vice-president of the French Chiropractic Association (AFC). “There are techniques in chiropractic adapted to seniors depending on the degree of osteoporosis or osteoarthritis of each patient. They will make it possible to limit the pain linked to the alteration of the bone micro-architecture or to joint degeneration “ she emphasizes.
The back bears the weight of years of work
During the first appointment, the chiropractor will, of course, ask you about your pathology and the pain you feel. But he will also be interested in the particular traumas, diseases and living conditions that may have played a role in your pain. Carrying heavy loads but also repetitive movements or static positions at work for many years can promote the appearance of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) or back pain past 60 years.
“The chiropractic treatment, by precise and adapted adjustments, will correct the dysfunctions of the spine allowing to bring a response to the articular problems and to relieve the pain of a large majority of senior patients such as the lumbago, sciatica, hip pain or stiff neck “ adds Vincent Renard, chiropractor.
Beyond the purely biomechanical effect (the blocked joint loosens), the nervous system will be freed from the tensions and traumas that may have accumulated over the years. The patient feels much more flexible and regains better autonomy.
The right things to do between two appointments with the chiropractor
The chiropractor also advises seniors on the right postures to adopt: how to sit well, lie down, stand up … and on the daily actions:
• To sleep, prefer the position lying on the back or on the side “in dog of gun”, which makes it possible to respect the natural curvature of the spine. Choose dense, flat mattresses and pillows for good back and head support.
• Avoid static positions too long (beyond 45 minutes). Take breaks to stretch when watching TV, for example.
• When you read, it is advisable to keep the bust straight and to use the armrests at the right height. Also avoid reading cross-legged.
• When you garden, your body is subject to physical constraints (trimming a hedge, using a shovel, etc.) which require repetitive efforts. It is preferable to bend the lower limbs or to position one knee on the ground so as not to put too much strain on the back.
• When you tinker, adjust your position according to the height of the worktop. To lift a load, bring it closer to your body and bend your lower limbs. And distribute the loads symmetrically by bearing to the right and to the left.
And you, have you ever tried chiropractic to relieve osteoarthritis or back pain? Talk about it on our Manual Therapies forum.
Read also :
Chiropractic: a first date, how does it go?
Joint pain: treat them with alternative medicine
