Balancing The Future in Galesburg IL

Alarmingly, about one fourth of adults 65 and older experience a fall every year. Even worse, if the hip becomes fractured, many people only last 4-6 months beyond the date of injury. My mother was one of these!

The loss of balance is the major contributor to all of these falls among the elderly. It is hard to believe that the drugs people take for bone density actually deplete bone over time. Yes, you read that correctly.

In addition, many of our elderly take Statin drugs regularly to lower Cholesterol. Common side effects of Statins are more brittle musculature and poor cognition that results in dizziness. This is a bad recipe for good balance as we age.

Many of the elderly who take a lot of pills are simply very afraid to exercise. One bad fall may tear tissue or break a bone. Avoiding exercise is a huge mistake as we age. Muscles must be kept strong and reflexes sharp. Strength training and postural challenges like Yoga keep muscles in sharp working order. Nothing is a substitute for exercise. Weight lifting and the big resistance bands can be very safe when we get a little training.

Contact our Galesburg IL chiropractic clinic to learn more.

Proper alignment in Galesburg IL

One last thing. The alignment of the upper neck is very important when it comes to balance. Nerves emanating from this region run the middle and inner ear mechanisms. The nerve pressure in the upper neck does drive dizziness, nausea, and balance problems. So, keep the neck in proper alignment and challenge the body with some light muscle work. With this preparation, even if you have a fall, the body tissues will be more resilient and deal with the fall much more efficiently.

Dr. Luke Sakalosky