Coordination and balance are two functions of the body that are easy to take for granted. That is, until you lack finesse in either of them and end up falling!
Both these functions happen as a result of nerve transmission interference – mainly from the eyes and ears – to the muscles.
Age and disease can negatively affect these transmissions.
Poor posture while standing or sitting can throw your spine out of alignment, hampering nerve signals and/or causing you to compensate by shifting your weight to avoid pain.
The resulting misalignment can be dangerous for an elderly person, as they can easily fall and break their hip or sustain other injuries.
How chiropractic care can improve your stability and motion
Chiropractors can help improve your coordination and balance in several ways. They can determine what nerves are affected and use gentle pressure on the corresponding vertebra to bring the spine back into alignment. When the spine is properly aligned, the nerves are not impaired so nerve messages flow freely and pain is reduced or eliminated.
Being movement specialists, chiropractors can tell what ways you may be compensating for pain or injury. They can also pinpoint muscles that are overused. In doing so, they are able to recommend specific exercises to strengthen your muscles. Chiropractors work with you to make sure you are using proper motion so you can avoid re-injury or to help prevent an injury.
Chiropractors can also counsel you on good nutrition.
Cramps can occur when the body is low on certain electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium. These deficiencies can occur with poor nutrition, dehydration or extreme sweating.
The elderly in particular can have problems absorbing nutrients, thereby lowering their levels of these electrolytes.
Chiropractors are trained in proper nutrition to help patients build and maintain healthy muscles and bones.
If you or someone you know has trouble with balance or coordination, call Eastside Chiropractic Care at 1-855-906-HEAL (4325) to see how we may be able to help.
