Senior Wellness in Glen Carbon

Seniors are a growing segment of the U.S. population, and they have unique health needs. More and more people from the 65 and older set are discovering the benefits of chiropractic care as a supplement to their overall health care plan. While typically associated with lower back or neck pain, in fact, modern Upper Cervical Chiropractors use the latest in diagnostic imaging technology, holistic approaches to whole health, and methods that emphasize the integrated nature of the human body. Seniors, in particular, stand to benefit from this approach to overall wellbeing.

Major Categories for Senior Health in Glen Carbon

Let’s take a look at 5 major categories of improved health that Chiropractic care offers older patients.

1. Relief from Pain

Upper Cervical Chiropractic care has been shown to be an effective course of treatment for various kinds of pain including back and neck pain, osteoarthritis, and cancer-related pain management among other kinds of pain more common among seniors.

In fact, Chiropractic pain management techniques may even be more effective than muscle relaxants for some patients. In other studies, the level of disability from pain has been effectively reduced from regular Chiropractic care.

Rather than using narcotic drugs to mask pain, Upper Cervical Chiropractors work with patients to reduce pain by addressing the root causes through the precise spine and neck adjustments. This improves the functioning of the central nervous system which has widespread impacts on the rest of the systems in the body.

It is important to understand the role pain plays in terms of holistic health in seniors.

Pain can become a major driver of a more sedentary lifestyle which in turn has been demonstrated to impact several key health outcomes among seniors, including:

• Rates of disability
• Chronic disease
• Immune system function

2. Increased Mobility and Range of Motion

Spinal adjustments performed by Upper Cervical Chiropractors can improve the overall range of motion for senior patients. This is great news since mobility has such a large impact on both overall quality of life as well as overall health in aging people.

Being able to enjoy the activities of life is so important as we age. The ability to pursue hobbies such as gardening, cooking, or small carpentry projects keeps our mood up and helps keep us cognitively sharp as we get older. Mobility is a key factor in experiencing the joy of living even as our bodies undergo the normal process of aging.

3. Improved Balance and Posture

Among seniors aged 65 and older, falls are the leading cause of both fatal and non-fatal injuries. In fact, 1 in 4 seniors will fall each year, with medical costs from the resulting injuries total over $50 billion annually in the United States.

Unfortunately, many seniors are aware of the risks of falling and become less active as a result. This is then likely to lead to further muscle, joint and bone degeneration leading to a rapid acceleration in the decline of overall health. Left untreated, this downward spiral can lead to depression and social isolation.

In addition to administering precise spinal adjustments to keep the central nervous system functioning well, Upper Cervical Chiropractors help patients develop a plan of movement, exercise, and stretching that can help them improve balance and posture which in turn supports a more active lifestyle.

4. Reduced Injury from Falling

When seniors take part in exercise programs designed by wellness practitioners to improve overall balance, range of movement, and strength maintenance, they are less likely to fall, and falls that do occur are less likely to cause serious injury.

Contrast this with a drug-first approach to pain management, for example. By treating the symptoms of a problem (pain killers), rather than encouraging the patient to treat the cause (inactivity), the cycle of degeneration goes on.

In addition, various pain-reducing drugs have actually been implicated in an increased risk of falls among the senior population, not to mention the potential for addiction.

A holistic treatment program, such as those developed for each individual patient by an Upper Cervical Chiropractor, can empower seniors to make lifestyle changes that can increase activity levels, reduce falls, as well as reduce the impact of those falls that do happen.

5. General Health and Wellbeing

As the “Grand Central Station” of the entire nervous system, the spine is crucial to overall wellbeing. However, Upper Cervical Chiropractic Doctors have the expertise that goes beyond spinal health. They have training in nutrition, lifestyle, movement, and overall health and approach each patient as a unique individual.

Upper Cervical Chiropractors offer their patients a holistic approach to health with an emphasis on identifying and treating the cause of pain and illness, rather than jumping to pharmaceutical drugs with damaging side effects or over-relying on invasive surgeries. If you have ever felt like your doctor was seeing you as your condition, rather than a whole person, it might be time to give Upper Cervical Chiropractic care a try.

Medicare Coverage for Chiropractic Care

While Medicare doesn’t cover everything associated with Chiropractic Care, Plan B does cover manual manipulation of the spine for subluxations, that is, misalignments in the vertebrae.

Unfortunately, tests and x-rays are not covered by Plan B, however, many supplemental health insurance providers may cover these tests, so check with your insurance provider.

Upper Cervical Care of Glen Carbon

If you or a senior that you love is in the Metro-East and greater St. Louis region, you may be a gentle correction away from natural relief. Call (618) 692-6992 today for a free consultation to learn how our Upper Cervical Chiropractors Drs. Thad Vuagniaux or Matt Strazewski can develop a completely individualized wellness plan that includes neck and spinal alignment, movement, and nutritional guidance for people of any age.