It is not until we get to the ripe old age of -
Oh, I don't know, maybe 45 or so, that we realize our bodies are not infallible.
It's shocking to us to realize that some of these aches and pains are directly
related to injuries that were sustained many years ago in some cases.
But the fact is in our mid 40's we are seeing the
result of the human body's slowing down ever so slowly. All the trauma we
experienced as a young person is coming back to haunt us!! Frankly I think it
sucks! I do NOT need to be reminded by my back
of a car accident, a fall on a ski slope or a slip on the stairs to tell me I'm
getting on towards the half century mark.
This is the beginning of what many accept as their
lot in middle age. How many of us carry around Tylenol, Ibuprofen or
Aspirin in the glove box or handbag? (no one in this office!)
It doesn't have to be the case. It really
SHOULDN'T be the case that we treat pain without finding out and treating the
cause.
Without maintaining our bodies, 20 years down the
line we could be suffering much more, taking more pain relief, experiencing
illness and disease because our immune systems are failing, shuffling around
and generally behaving like the elderly - ugh! not a pretty thought.
More and more frequently doctors in the medical
profession are suggesting to older patients who suffer with chronic low back
pain to seek 'complementary' forms of medical help. As you may have noticed in the press this month, the American Medical
Association now recommends Chiropractic care before surgery.
Take home message is start getting Chiropractic care on a regular basis. As soon as
possible would be the second message!
Here are the top reasons why chiropractic care invigorates our bodies especially as we get a
little longer in the tooth (providing we still have them that is!)
1) Pain
Relief. Yep the big one - the reason most people first visit any health
care provider.
2) Increased
Range of Motion - Both in the spine and in all extremities. Golfing,
picking up grandchildren and gardening are so much easier with greater freedom
of movement!
3) Increased
Balance and Coordination - Many of these problems in the elderly, for
example falling, come from degenerative changes in the cervical area i.e. the
neck. Think about it, your nervous system starts in the brain and travels down
the spinal column to the rest of your body.
4) Decreased
Joint Degeneration - All of our moving parts degenerate over time, but if
they are aligned as well as possible by your chiropractor, they are able to
maintain motion and are far less likely to stiffen and deteriorate.
5)
Increased Health and Well-Being - Many patients say that having
an adjustment is like having a kink taken out of their back. They have more
energy, they sleep better, they suffer far fewer headaches and generally feel
great!
Dr
Ian Coulter from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College published a study
called 'Chiropractic Care for the Elderly'
44% of the group receiving
chiropractic care reported having arthritis
66% in the group NOT having
chiropractic care reported having arthritis
Those who had chiropractic care
were more likely to partake of strenuous exercise.
At a three year follow-up
5% who had chiropractic care were
in nursing homes
48% (!!) of those without
chiropractic care lived in nursing homes
Can we conclude Chiropractic care keeps the
elderly out of nursing homes?
What we
can conclude is that chiropractic care provides amazing benefits and has a
proven track record of keeping us all healthy, safely and without side effects!
We owe it to our children as well
as to ourselves to stay healthy and active for as long as we can.
Yours in Health
Dr. J B Whitlow
www.whitlowchiropractic.com
