Treatment for Mature Patients
There is often an assumption that chiropractic treatment is too forceful for elderly or more mature patients, due to the manipulation techniques. However, we choose the appropriate technique for the patient in front of us, whether they are 90 years old or 9 weeks old! This can vary from gentle mobilisation and stretching, to the use of dry needling (using acupuncture needles on tight muscles), massage and prescriptive exercises.
Knowing the right technique for you is an important part of your care and our chiropractic skill.
Many older people believe they have to live with aches and pains. But that's just not true.
We do tend to have more aches and pains as we get older. Joints develop wear and tear, and muscles stiffen up more. If you suffer from a more severe condition or inflammatory problem affecting joints and muscles we can talk about managing the problem, and possibly reducing the severity of your symptoms. That may include treatment in the clinic, but could also include exercises at home, or other self help and advice. Whilst this won't necessarily cure the problem, it can make it more manageable and give you clearer expectations going forward.
Many injuries happen irrespective of age. However, as we get older our body is slower to heal. But that doesn't mean you should just learn to live with aches and pains, and give up on trying to feel better, without exploring all the options.
Common self help tips we recommend:
Work on your balance - As we get older our balance diminishes. At its worst this leads to stumbles and falls, but more commonly it means we are less able to correct ourselves. Over time this puts pressure on other joints, which can then lead to pain.
A simple exercise to help this: Holding onto something solid, stand on one leg for five seconds, and then swap to the other leg. Repeat this three times per day. When this becomes too easy don't hold on to a support (but make sure there is something in reach, just in case!), or try closing your eyes.Another balance/strengthening exercise: Sit in an upright chair without arms and stand up as many times as you can within 30 seconds. Don't use your hands to push yourself, instead rely on your leg and core muscles to do the work. Over time you should be able to increase the number you can achieve, and strengthen your muscles too.
And lastly, my favourite - walking. Do a little every day - even a few steps out of the front door and back again is a good start, and you can use this to build on.
If you would like to consider other activities you might like to look at the 'Move' programme at Basingstoke Sports Centre, dance classes, aqua-aerobics or sitting yoga. Doing a regular weekly exercise like this, is not only good for your body, but a nice social activity too.
Of course, there is always more we could add to this list to help you, but this has to work for you. So, it is your exercise, suited to your needs and ability.