The Balancing Act of Aging and Walking

If you have an iPhone and go into its Health App, you may notice that one of things Apple have focused on is walking steadiness. As we get older, it may feel like sometimes we are trying to do a tightrope walk on a banana peel. We become more like acrobats trying to perform a balancing act at the ‘Cirque du Sol-eil’ (and by ‘Sol-eil,’ we mean ‘sole,’ our foot – a dad joke, of course). Only, instead of applause, our act ends up in bumps and bruises if we’re not careful.

As we shimmy along the timeline of life, our bodies start whispering, ‘I’ve seen better days.’ But we can’t just let them reminisce about the good ol’ days. We need to listen, adjust (intentional Chiropractic pun), and keep them in top shape for our golden years. One way to ensure we are not wobbling like my toddler’s first steps, or an intoxicated flamingo is to keep our walking steadiness in check. Why? Because walking isn’t just getting us from point A to B, it’s a complex movement involving our muscles, joints, and nervous system. It’s like a well-orchestrated conga line at a family wedding, and when one dancer (in this metaphor, a body part) loses rhythm, the whole line goes into a tailspin.

Falls, as we age, are the Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson of our family wedding (a.k.a wedding crashers) – unexpected and quite unwelcome. They come with nasty surprises like fractures, sprains, and fear of walking – not exactly a welcome package. Each year, millions of adults aged 65 and older face falls, and it’s not because they’ve suddenly decided to take up ice-skating. No, it’s due to a decline in their walking steadiness. It’s a serious matter, wrapped in a not-so-fun fact. Now you might ask, “How do I improve my balance, maintain my dignity and avoid turning my daily walk into Billy Connolly’s drunk walk comedy routine?” The answer is as simple as a bear hugging a tree: Chiropractic care.

Chiropractors are like ‘body whisperers.’ We listen to what your body is saying (using special tests and investigations), then, with a few special manoeuvres, we’ve restored harmony. Our tool of trade? Our magical hands! Going back to the conga line metaphor, if the line is your body, then a chiropractor is the star dancer leading the way. We ensure that the rhythm is smooth, the movements synchronised, and that no one trips over the beat. Chiropractic care can help correct misalignments and improve the communication between the brain and the rest of the body like a communication repair expert, or a mobile phone tower restoring signals in a dead zone. It can help improve your posture, and keep your walk steady and smooth to help you strut with confidence, whether you’re doing a monthly grocery shop or going after a runaway pup!

Staying balanced, as we age, isn’t just about walking. It’s about preserving independence, maintaining health, and continuing to participate in the daily dance of life. It’s about making sure that every step you take is safe, because a steady walk is the key to opening the door to a healthier, safer, and funnier old age. And if you happen to drop the key, your chiropractor is there to pick it up. We are the key to your best life!

References

1. Holt, K. R., Haavik, H., Lee, A. C. L., Murphy, B., & Elley, C. R. (2012). Effectiveness of chiropractic care to improve sensorimotor function associated with falls risk in older people: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 35(4), 267-278.
2. Hawk, C., Schneider, M., Haas, M., Katz, P., Dougherty, P., Gleberzon, B., … & Killinger, L. Z. (2007). Best practices recommendations for chiropractic care for older adults: results of a consensus process. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 30(6), 464-473.
3. DeVocht, J. W., Goertz, C., Hondras, M., Long, C., Schaeffer, W., Thomann, L., … & Spector, M. (2005). A pilot study of a chiropractic intervention for management of chronic myofascial temporomandibular disorder. Journal of the American Dental Association (1939), 136(10), 1384-1393.