subject: Chiropractic Benefits For Older Adults [print this page] Chiropractic offers many benefits to older adults
Its no secret that as we age, our bodies change dramatically. Muscles shrink and react more slowly. We have less of the fluid the body needs to remain supple and strong. Bones lose mass and become more fragile. Were more susceptible to musculoskeletal injury. When we are injured, it takes longer to heal. Yet, when we seek treatment, were more sensitive to medications and surgery carries greater risk.
Given this set of circumstances, medication-free, noninvasive chiropractic treatment is ideally suited for most older people. In working with the elderly, chiropractors use gentle techniques appropriate to the aging body. Ongoing wellness and preventive care are important elements of treatment. This may include recommendations on exercise, nutrition and lifestyle modifications.
Chiropractic care can help alleviate pain, improve joint function, boost mobility, increase balance and coordination, and decrease stiffness. Although its not a fountain of youth, chiropractic can do wonders in improving your comfort and quality of life.
Carpal Tunnel Syndromemore than just a nuisance
The carpal tunnel is a passageway through your wrist. Nerves and muscles from your hand and fingers pass through this tunnel and up the arm. Sometimes, however, the important median nerve that supplies motion and feeling to your fingers and hand gets pressed or squeezed. When the nerve function is impaired by this pressure, you have carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).
The symptoms of CTS are numbness, burning, itching or tingling in your hand or fingers. In severe cases, carpal tunnel syndrome can make it difficult to grasp objects or to feel hot or cold. Women are three times more likely to have the condition than men. It is rare in children.
What causes CTS? Many people believe too many hours spend a keyboard cause CTS, however, a study at Mayo Clinic found this is not the case. In fact, any number of factors can cause the condition, including:
- Carpal tunnels that are naturally narrow
- Injury.
- Arthritis
- Retention of fluid during pregnancy
- Diabetes
- Thyroid conditions
- Obesity
- Regular use of vibrating hand tools
- Inadequate work ergonomics
Your chiropractor can diagnose and treat CTS. He or she may prescribe resting the hand and wrist for a period of time, applying a splint to immobilize the wrist, stretching or strengthening exercises, icing the wrist or joint manipulation.
