Chiropractic Care for Falls, Fractures and Prevention

Chiropractic Care for Falls, Fractures and Prevention


Presented by: Health First Chiropractic 


Elderly individuals are more likely to fall if they possess or encounter one or more fall-inducing risk factors. Falling is a common and often serious heath event among older adults and may lead to moderate or severe injuries, depending on the cause. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 33 percent of adults age 65 and older fall every year and falls are the number one cause of injury-related deaths in this age group.1


Causes of Falls in Older Adults

A 2000 study published in the medical journal American Family Physician states that the following are all possible causes of or contributors to falls in older individuals:

● environmental hazards

● accidents

● balance disorders

● arthritis-related pain

● certain medications

● acute illness

● visual disorders

● central nervous system disorders

● Osteoporosis

● insufficient physical activity

Various indoor and outdoor hazards may be the most significant factors causing falls in the elderly. In some cases, cognitive impairment and postural hypotension (i.e., the lightheaded feeling that occurs after shifting from a lying to a sitting or standing position) may be a factor.2 Falls are also the leading cause of non-fatal injuries and hospital admissions in older individuals. Fractures, dislocations, soft tissue injuries and head wounds are among the most common fall-related injuries, notes an article published in the journal Clinics in Geriatric Medicine.3


Fall Prevention

Your chiropractor can counsel you on the best possible activities to reduce your likelihood of falling. Your chiropractor can advise you of the best tests to assess the health of your bones and he or she can suggest dietary changes to help limit bone loss as you age as well as create a balance training program for you. As we age our bones become more brittle and osteoporosis may set in to make them more susceptible to fractures. Some of the best ways to prevent osteoporosis and osteoporosis-related falls, include consuming adequate calcium-containing foods or beverages such as milk, cheese, yogurt, fish, broccoli, collards or almonds, as well as getting enough vitamin D and performing regular bouts of weight-bearing activity. Balance training is another effective technique in reducing falling frequency in older individuals.4 Reduced physical activity causes decreased muscle tone, diminished strength and loss of flexibility and bone mass - all possible contributors to falls in elderly individuals. Your chiropractor can assess your muscular strength, cardiovascular fitness and mobility to generate a physical activity routine for you that suits your interests, aptitudes and abilities. He or she can also address problem areas in your spine or extremities that may be limiting you from participating in regular physical activity. Chiropractic care - especially where it concerns keeping your joints and soft tissues in fine working order - is an important factor in remaining healthy and active well into old age. Walking, jogging, swimming and bicycling are constructive activities that can be performed throughout your lifespan to help prevent falls in your later years. Many falls in the elderly are caused by hazards around the home. Assess your home environment for hazards such as inadequate lighting, unstable

furniture, loose rugs or small floor mats, to avoid tripping. Consider mounting grab bars in key areas in your home to provide support for elderly residents or guests. Add non-skid mats to bathtubs, reduce clutter and clear objects that are close to regular walking areas of the home.


Chiropractic Treatment Approaches

The most common fracture types in men and women over 55 years of age are the hip, wrist and upper arm humerus bone. Re-establishing normal physical activity routines as soon as possible after a fracture heals is extremely important, especially in older adults who suffer a hip fracture. Every effort should be made to regain full function to avoid health complications. 5 Your chiropractor may use several gentle treatment methods to promote healing, reduce swelling and bring nutrients to your damaged tissues. He or she can recommend specific therapeutic exercises and activities that can accelerate your recovery and guide you toward a full and healthy return to your usual activities of daily living.


References and Sources:

Writer: Marty Hughes, DC

1.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Falls Among Older Adults: An Overview.” Accessed August 27, 2012. http://www.cdc.gov/homean drecreationalsafety/ falls/adultfalls.html. 2. Fuller GF. Falls in the Elderly. American Family Physician. 2000. Apr; 61(7): 2159-2168. 3. King MB, Tinetti ME. A multifactorial approach to reducing injurious falls.  Clinics in Geriatric Medicine. 1996; 12: 745-59   4. Madureira MM, Takayama L, Gallinaro AL, Caparbo VF, Costa RA, Pereira RMR. Balance training program is highly effective in improving functional status and reducing the risk of falls in elderly women with osteoporosis: a randomized controlled trial. Osteoporosis International. 2007; 18(4): 419-425. 5. Wolinksky FD, Fitzgerald JF, Stump TE. The effect of hip fracture on mortality, hospitalization, and functional status: a prospective study. American Journal of Public Health. 1997. Mar; 87(3): 398-403

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only and is designed to assist you in making informed decisions about your health. Any information contained

herein is not intended to substitute advice from your physician or other healthcare professional.

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