I thought I would address issues that affect our senior populations and the misconceptions and more importantly the benefits of chiropractic care. As a practicing chiropractor for over thirty years, I too am approaching my senior years and do understand many of the concerns facing our elderly. The benefit of being in practice for so many years gives me the advantage of relating to all ages. My attitude toward treatment in my fifties is somewhat different than it was when I was in my twenties and thirties. For example, when an individual overexerts or strains an area, we generally feel it the next day. Not true for the elderly or severely out of shape person. As we age, our response time to injury is slowed. Therefore you may not feel the full effect of that injury for two to three days following. Hence we get the patient who says “I was O.K. after unloading that cord of firewood”, or that new two hour workout at the gym. When I was younger in practice, I never understood the elderly reactions, but through personal experience, I do now. Let’s discuss a few elderly misconceptions.

Chiropractors can’t treat women with osteoporosis. On the contrary, those with osteopenia (earliest phase of osteoporosis), can develop areas of bone weakness due to abnormal weight –bearing from pelvic malposition, scoliosis (curvature of the spine), muscle weakness and poor diet. We as chiropractors look at multiple reasons why a condition develops. Even if you are taking calcium every day, are you aware that there are different types? Calcium carbonate, the most common type, is poorly absorbed in the body and therefore less effective. Calcium citrate on the other hand is easily absorbed making significantly better for bone strength. Of equal importance is resistive or weight-bearing exercise. When you lift a weight and the muscle tugs on the bone, your body increases it’s uptake of available calcium. This makes the bone stronger and denser. Also keep in mind that calcium tablets are machine pressed and can be very hard to digest rendering it useless as it passes through your digestive system. You may do better with a liquid form. Abnormal spinal posture can result in altered weight bearing of specific joints and bones. For example, if I continually shift my weight to one side by sitting or standing I will develop an imbalance. More weight on one side is not bad but less on the other is, therefore resulting in bone thinning. Chiropractors are experts at detecting these imbalances and gently and specifically correcting them allowing your body to gradually increase the bone strength.

If you have arthritis, you can’t get adjustments. For those of us that have spinal joints with spurs and calcium deposits (by-product of osteoarthritis) you must realize that osteoarthritis is developed from past trauma, abnormal joint movement and weight-bearing, not age. Many an athlete develops arthritis in knees, ankles and spinal joints from years of participation in sports. Damage to a joint, whether from sports, auto accidents or repetitive physical stress will result in early arthritis unless properly maintained. If you think that taking anti-inflammatories every day is the answer you’re sadly mistaken. Pain is a signal from your body that there is a problem. Don’t just ignore it by masking the symptoms. A joint that is not moving properly will develop degeneration. If not aligned and balanced it will eventually result in increased pain and ultimately fusion. Spinal arthritis can easily be detected by x-rays and treatment can be tailored to your condition. You’re never too old to benefit from chiropractic adjustments. Why let your condition grow worse when you can do something about it. Give your body the opportunity to regain function.
Can I receive chiropractic care after spinal surgery? Yes. Rest assured that we will avoid the surgically modified areas of your spine. Surgery often causes instability above or below the involved level. This will be the focus of your chiropractic care.

I hope that this answers a few of the more common questions our elderly ask. If you have any questions regarding chiropractic care please feel free to contact me for a no-obligation consultation to discuss your problem.
Yours in Health,

Glenn J. Asti, D.C.