Tag Archives: elderly

Gait, Balance and Coordination Improved with Chiropractic

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A long-term case study published on February 9, 2017, in the Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research followed the improvement received from chiropractic care of an elderly man with a long list of health issues including difficulty in walking, balance, standing and overall mobility. Mobility, musculoskeletal pain, and balance are of key concern to the geriatric population and have a significant impact on the quality of life.

Gait, Balance and Coordination Improved with Chiropractic Pregnancy Newborn Infant Pediatric Care to Older Adult Elderly Care Health WellnessPain plays a key role in the abilities of a senior to function normally. According to a 2014 study in the Journal of Physical Therapy Science. “Spinal pain is the most common of all chronic pain disorders. In a previous study, 24.6% of older adults with chronic pain reported back pain.”

In this case, an 85-year-old man presented himself to the chiropractor for a variety of health concerns. His chief complaints for which he went to the chiropractor were difficulty walking and poor posture. In addition to the issues he sought chiropractic for, he also had a number of prior medical diagnoses that included benign prostatic hypertrophy, osteoporosis, heart valve insufficiency, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, angina, and other assorted problems. Most of his issues were being treated medically. As a result, the man had been prescribed eighteen different medications that were being taken on a daily basis.

A chiropractic examination was performed. This included a range of motion study, paraspinal thermography, a postural analysis, spinal motion palpation and spinal x-rays. As expected, the man’s range of motion in all areas was significantly reduced. His head was carried in a forward position causing a roundness of his shoulders. The spinal x-rays on this patient showed considerable calcium buildup indicative of intervertebral degenerative joint disease, spinal arthritis, and old compression fractures of several of his vertebrae.

Based on the findings of all the examination procedures, the diagnosis for this man was healed compression fractures, calcification of the abdominal aortic, atherosclerosis, abnormal postural and vertebral subluxations in the cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions of the spine. With this diagnosis, chiropractic care was rendered.

This study recorded the chiropractic care and progress for this man over an eight year period. Over that time, a variety of chiropractic techniques were utilized. The study records that, over time, the man’s overall health improved and he experienced improvement in gait, balance stability, coordination, posture and reported an increase in strength in the lower extremities. The man’s medical doctor also noticed the changes and commented that the patient was healthier while under chiropractic care. In addition, he was able to get himself in and out of a chair, and was able to reduce the amount of prescription and over the counter medication he was taking.

The author of this study summed up the implications of this study by noting, “Age related musculoskeletal problems can cause impairment in a patient’s balance and gait. An unstable person on their feet puts them at a higher risk of falling and as age increases so does the risk of falling.” She continued to explain how this can help by saying, “Individuals over the age of 65 years of age that suffer from musculoskeletal dysfunctions may benefit from chiropractic care. Chiropractic care focuses on the vertebral subluxation complex (VSC).”

If you or anyone you know could benefit from a better functioning nervous system, please call us at 512-452-2525 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Swanson. Austin chiropractor located in north central Austin, TX.

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Patient with Neck Pain and History of Neck Surgery Helped with Chiropractic

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What is a Carotid Endarterectomy? Can Chiropractic Care Help Stroke Surgeries?

A case study published in the September 2016 issue of the Journal of the Academy of Chiropractic Orthopedists reported on a case of an elderly man with neck pain and a history of carotid artery surgery being helped by chiropractic.

patient-with-neck-pain-and-history-of-neck-surgery-helped-with-chiropractic-austin-tx-chiropractor-help-near-me-best-reviewsThe article begins by noting that nearly 140,000 people die each year in the U.S. from stroke. Stroke is the third leading cause of death behind heart attack and cancer. One of the leading causes of stroke is carotid artery disease. This is when plaque builds up in the carotid arteries and can prevent blood flow to the head. One medical procedure that looks to address this issue is called carotid endarterectomy (CEA).

On the Society for Vascular Surgery‘s website, Dr. Lori C. Pounds describes the procedure by saying, “A carotid endarterectomy is a surgical procedure to open or clean the carotid artery with the goal of stroke prevention.” It is estimated that 100,000 of these CEA procedures were performed in 2010.

In this case, an 83-year-old man sought care from a chiropractor. The man was suffering from right neck pain and an associated soft tender mass in the area. The pain began about a year and a half before he went to the chiropractor. There was no history of trauma or an accident as the trigger to his pain. His history revealed that he had undergone CEA surgery just less that three years earlier.

The man described his neck pain as a soreness which he rated as a 2 to 3 out of 10 in intensity, with 10 being the worst. He was taking prescription acetaminophen every 6 hours as needed for his pain. Two months before visiting the chiropractor, a computed tomography study showed cervical degeneration of his spine.

After a thorough examination, chiropractic care was started which included specific adjustments. The study reports that by the third visit, the man reported his pain to have reduced to a rate of 1 to 2 out of 10. By the following visit, he reported that he was pain free. At one point after that, the man did report a small re-occurrence of his pain which was quickly eliminated. Since that point, he has not had any neck pain.

In the study’s discussion, the authors note that, “Post-surgical pain is a common problem with a high degree of morbidity and a high overall cost effect.” They noted that this case demonstrated an effective approach to care for this case of an elderly man with pain who has had CEA surgery.

If you or anyone you know could benefit from a better functioning nervous system, please call us at 512-452-2525 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Swanson. We are located in north central Austin, TX.

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Motion and Pain Improved with Chiropractic in 75-Year-Old Man

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Do Chiropractors Adjust Elderly People? How Old Are Chiropractic Patients?

The Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research published a case study on September 12, 2016, documenting the progress of an elderly man with limited motion being helped with chiropractic. Mobility is a primary concern for the elderly and has a direct effect on the overall quality of seniors’ lives.

motion-and-pain-improved-with-chiropractic-in-75-year-old-man-austin-tx-chiropractor-nextdoor-reviewsThe study begins by noting that the population of older people is growing rapidly worldwide. It is estimated that by the year 2050, people over the age of 60 will represent 21.1% of the worlds population with numbers greater than 2 billion.

The author of the study reviewed other studies involving chiropractic and motion in the elderly. In summarizing these studies he noted, “In recent studies chiropractic care, primarily focused on the correction of vertebral subluxation, has been shown to positively impact the older adults’ ability to remain independent, perform activities of daily living, and to be able to participate in life on many different levels, including physical and social functioning.”

In this case, a 75-year-old man with a 20-year history of low back and neck pain went to a chiropractor. Due to his age, he believed he may not be able to improve and may have to “learn to live with it.” His history revealed that 48 years ago, the man had fallen over 22 feet down a sewage pit.

The man reported exhibiting discomfort while sitting and standing. His physical activity was curtailed to walking only short distances due to his pain and stiffness. His pain had gotten to the point where, over the prior four weeks before seeking chiropractic care, he had started taking over the counter pain medication. During the examination, the man rated his physical health as 4/10 and mental health as 7/10.

The examination showed that the man carried his head forward while also having an increased hunched-type curve in his middle back. His spinal range of motion was limited in most all directions. Thermography and surface EMG studies also showed problem areas in the man’s spine.

Chiropractic care was begun at the rate of two visits per month. The study stated that after the sixth visit, the man reported increased flexibility and was able to walk for longer distances than before. On the seventh visit, the man commented, “It is important for me to be able to bend forward and move my head, I can do that easier now,” He also commented, “I’ve noticed my posture is more upright and not bent forward.”

As a result, the man’s self rating of his health improved from a 4/10 to an 8/10, and his mental health improved from 7/10 to 8/10. Additional improvements included increased range of motion in all of his movements, and he was able to discontinue his over-the-counter pain medication.

In his conclusion the author wrote, “Chiropractic care to correct vertebral subluxation was associated with improvements in the patient’s presenting musculoskeletal complaints and resultant quality of life.”

If you or anyone you know could benefit from a better functioning nervous system, please call us at 512-452-2525 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Swanson. We are located in north central Austin, TX.

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America’s Other Drug Problem: Too Many Prescriptions for Elderly

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Does Being Under Chiropractic Care Help Reduce Medications? What Else Can I Do Besides Take Drugs?

The headline above comes from an article published on September 4, 2016, in the Los Angeles Daily News. The article was originally produced on August 30, 2016, by Kaiser Health News, and highlights the over usage of prescription medication on seniors.

americas-other-drug-problem-too-many-prescriptions-for-elderly-austin-tx-chiropractor-for-best-chiropractic-care-near-meThe article begins with observations by Dominick Bailey, a clinical pharmacist specializing in geriatric care at UCLA Medical Center in Santa Monica, California. In performing his job of reviewing medication that the patients are taking, he noted several medications for elderly patients that were contraindicated and could cause harm. One 74-year-old patient, who had a history of multiple health problems, was on 36 different medications. Bailey’s reactions was, “This is actually a little bit alarming.”

Dr. Maristela Garcia, director of the inpatient geriatric unit also at UCLA Medical Center in Santa Monica, commented, “This is America’s other drug problem-polypharmacy, and the problem is huge.”

The article reports that, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the elderly account for about 35 percent of hospital stays. However, they note that over half experience drug-related complications causing hospital stays to be extended by an average of about three days.

One of the issues pointed out in the article is that many medications are being given to the elderly with no time line to ever consider discontinuing them. “There’s a tendency in medicine every time we start a medicine to never stop it,” stated Dr. Ken Covinsky, University of California, San Francisco researcher and physician.

One of Bailey’s responsibilities at the UCLA Medical Center is to reduce the number of medications the elderly are taking. He also explains his concepts to other pharmacists and young interns at his center. In one such exchange, he explained that there is a fundamental difference on how drugs affect older people, “As you know, our elderly are already at risk for an accumulation of drugs in their body,” he told the group. “If you put a drug that has a really long half-life, it is going to last even longer in our elderly.”

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, among older Americans (aged 60 and over), more than 76% used two or more prescription drugs, and 37% used five or more.

If you or anyone you know could benefit from a better functioning nervous system, please call us at 512-452-2525 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Swanson. We are located in north central Austin, TX.

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Lower Back Pain with Radiating Pain down Leg into Foot Helped with Chiropractic

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What is a Synovial Cyst? Can Chiropractic Care Help Radiating Low Back Pain?

The June 2016 issue of the Chiropractic Journal of Australia published a case study documenting the case of an elderly woman who had been suffering with pain in her lower back and leg being helped with chiropractic. This case was unique due to the woman having an MRI confirming the presence of a synovial cyst in her lower spine.

Lower Back Pain with Radiating Pain Down Leg into Foot Helped with Chiropractic - Austin TX Chiropractor car crash truck semi accident careA synovial cyst is an uncommon occurrence where a cyst or soft tissue lesion forms inside the spinal column just outside the spinal cord. It is usually found in the lower back and is associated with lower back pain with radiating pain into a leg. It is commonly seen with some amount of spinal degeneration, and is more common in elderly patients. When discovered, the most common form of medical care is surgery.

In this case, a retired 76-year-old woman was suffering for the previous 6 months from pain in her buttocks down her right thigh, down her leg into her right foot. She also reported abnormal sensations in her right leg. With ten being the worst, the woman reported that pain as an eight. Standing and walking made her worse while sitting afforded some minimal relief.

A physical examination was performed which included reflexes and observation. An MRI was performed prior to chiropractic care and showed the presence of a synovial cyst along with a mild amount of spinal degeneration in the lower spine.

Initial chiropractic care was begun on the woman followed by supportive care. The study reports that after only a short course of care, the patient reported a complete resolution of her symptoms.

During a six-month follow-up, it was noted that the patient was still symptom free. At this point, a second MRI was performed to check the status of the cyst. The MRI showed that, although the patient was free from the pain, the cyst did not seem to have changed.

The authors noted that this case puts to question whether or not a synovial cyst is the cause of the pain. They stated, “This case report shows that although symptomatic resolution occurred following conservative care, the synovial cyst may not have resolved. This leaves open the question concerning the mechanism of symptom generation in these cases.” They noted the uniqueness of this case and the findings by adding, “This is the first reported case of MR imaging appearances of a lumbar facet synovial cyst pre- and post- successful conservative management resulting in symptomatic resolution.”

If you or anyone you know could benefit from a better functioning nervous system, please call us at 512-452-2525 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Swanson. We are located in north central Austin, TX.

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Migraines, Tension Headaches, and Arm Pain Resolved with Chiropractic

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What To Do With Chronic Headaches? Can Chiropractic Care Help Migraines?

The Chiropractic Journal of Australia published a case study in their June 2016 edition documenting the resolution of long term migraine headaches, tension headaches, and arm pain through chiropractic.

Migraines, Tension Headaches, and Arm Pain Resolved with Chiropractic - Austin Chiropractor celebrity care best reviewsAccording to the study authors, headaches are the most common neurological problem affecting people. According to the World Health Organization, about 47 percent of the population will suffer at least one headache in any given year. Headaches can affect any age group. The study reports that there have been numerous studies showing chiropractic being effective for patients suffering from headaches. However, they note that few studies are available on chiropractic helping the elderly with headaches.

In this study, an 89-year-old man presented himself to the chiropractor for care. The man was suffering from chronic daily tension-type headaches in the front of his head. His headaches had developed into incapacitating migraine headaches every 2 to 3 weeks over the past several years. He also reported suffering from years of chronic right arm and neck pain.

The man’s history included significant trauma, including multiple motor vehicle accidents in 1957 and 1962 in which he suffered fractures in his right arm and spine respectively. The man was a World War II veteran and had suffered a blast injury during an artillery bombardment.

A chiropractic examination was performed which included spinal palpation, a postural and balance assessment, range of motion (ROM), orthopedic and neurological tests, muscle strength and stretch reflexes tests, and sensory and cranial nerve testing. Spinal x-rays were also performed.

Based on the examination findings and x-rays, the diagnosis given was “…chronic daily tension-type headaches, episodic migraines without aura, musculoskeletal neck and arm pain, and concomitant vertebral subluxations.” Chiropractic care was started using a specific adjusting protocol to address the subluxations found.

The study reports that following the first adjustment the patient almost immediately noticed a considerable decrease in the intensity and frequency of his headaches, and arm and neck pain. After six weeks of care, the patient reported that he was continuing to improve and that his headaches were no longer daily and were much less in severity. He also noted that he had not gotten any migraine headaches.

After 12 weeks of care, the patient reported a complete cessation of all headaches and migraines, and also that his arm pain had completely subsided. He commented that he felt a lot more comfortable walking and he had more energy for daily activities. In a one-year follow up, the man reported no further headaches, neck pain, or arm pain.

In their conclusion, the authors wrote, “This case study describes the presentation, chiropractic care provided, and outcomes of care of an 89-year-old male experiencing medically diagnosed chronic daily tension-type headaches, episodic migraines and co-existing musculoskeletal neck and arm pain. The patient reported a cessation of longstanding headaches and musculoskeletal complaints after 12 weeks of chiropractic care.”

If you or anyone you know could benefit from a better functioning nervous system, please call us at 512-452-2525 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Swanson. We are located in north central Austin, TX.

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Older Americans Taking More Medications

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What is Polypharmacy? Can Chiropractic Care Reduce My Need For Medication?

The headline above comes from a March 21, 2016, Reuters news story published in response to a pre-released study on this subject published in the April 2016 issue of JAMA Internal Medicine. This article, and several others on this same subject, reported on the growing usage of medication by the increasing elderly population.

Older Americans Taking More Medications - Austin Texas Chiropractor help for car accident injuryThe study showed that 87.7% of the population 62 to 85 years old used at least one prescription medication in 2010-2011. This was up from 84.1% in 2005-2006. Even more alarming was that the study showed that people using five or more prescription medications increased from 30.6% to 35.8% in the same five year period.

The Reuters article begins by noting that people using multiple medications, known as polypharmacy, was associated with an increase in major drug interactions in older Americans. Dr. Dima M. Qato, the study’s lead author from the University of Illinois at Chicago, commented, “That’s a concern from a public health standpoint, because it’s getting worse.”

The study showed that because of the increase in polypharmacy, the percentage of people at risk for serious or even life-threatening drug interaction has gone from 8 percent in 2005-2006 to 15 percent in 2011-2012.

Dr. Qato also stated in a CBS interview on this issue, “Many of these potentially deadly drug interactions involve prescription and non-prescription medications and supplements that are not commonly used, but are increasingly being used by older adults. While it is not known how many older adults in the U.S. die of drug interactions, the risk seems to be growing and public awareness is lacking.”

“It is time to take the next leap forward. We need to create systems that support an ongoing process of monitoring medications,” said Michael A. Steinman, M.D., of the University of California, San Francisco, in an accompanying editorial. “Such systems would help us periodically assess the benefits, harms and ongoing need for each of a patient’s medications, as well as the reasonableness of the medication regimen as a whole. These systems could also help physicians with deprescribing, for example by supporting gradual down-titration of a medication and monitoring patients for adverse drug withdrawal reactions after a drug is stopped.”

“As much as we need to support reforms in medication monitoring, we seriously need to examine the culture of taking so many medications,” says Robert Braile D.C. chairman of the International Chiropractors Association Public Relations Committee. “Americans represent about 5% of the world’s population, yet we consume about 50% of the prescription medication in the world. This, coupled with the fact that the U.S. ranks far below many other nations in almost all health statistics except spending, should lead us to question whether or not the culture of a pill for every ill is a healthy and prudent direction.”

If you or anyone you know could benefit from a better functioning nervous system, please call us at 512-452-2525 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Swanson.

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Mood, Posture, and Balance Improved in Older Patient Under Chiropractic Care: A Case Study

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Can Chiropractic Care Affect Mood? How Does Chiropractic Improve My Health?

A case study published on May 21, 2015, in the the Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research documented chiropractic helping an elderly man suffering from severe postural issues, mild depression, low back pain, balance problems, and constant fatigue. This case study was reported from a chiropractic practice in Auckland, New Zealand.

Mood, Posture, and Balance Improved in Older Patient Under Chiropractic Care - Austin TX ChiropractorThe authors begin by explaining that, “Posture is the relative position of the body at any one moment, and the position of every joint in the spine has an effect on the position of every other joint.” They further explain that normal posture requires the least amount of energy to remain upright. Abnormal posture requires more energy from the muscles and places more stress on the joints supporting the posture.

As noted in the study, postural abnormalities can not only cause biomechanical stress on the spine, but can have a negative effect on the nervous system. This is known as subluxation. To further explain subluxation, the authors include the Association of Chiropractic Colleges’ definition of subluxation, “A complex of functional and/or structural and/or pathological articular changes that compromise neural integrity and may influence organ system function and general health.”

This case involved a 72-year-old man who went to a chiropractor in a private practice in Auckland, New Zealand. The study notes that he suffered with difficulty in walking due to balance disturbances, low back pain radiating down into the hips and thighs, perpetual tiredness, and a mildly depressed mood and state of mind. He was also taking heart and blood pressure medication for the past 10 years.

A case history and chiropractic examination was performed which included surface electromyography (sEMG) scans, and a postural analysis. Then, chiropractic care was started with the goal of reducing the man’s subluxations.

The study notes that the man noticed the biggest initial changes during the second and third weeks of his care. He reported that he had increased energy, felt steadier with increased balance, and was feeling happier overall with a more positive outlook on life. By the 6th week of care, the man reported that he could stand straighter, and had decreased pain levels with activity. He stated that he wanted to go out for longer walks with his wife, and felt more social with a general positive increase in his mood.

The authors summed up this case in their conclusion by stating, “While under chiropractic care, improvements in both self-reported subjective and objective measures were noted in a patient with severe postural alterations, low back pain, balance disturbances, perpetual tiredness and a mildly depressive state of mind. These improvements include overall physical, mental, and emotional well-being of the patient.”

If you or anyone you know could benefit from a better functioning nervous system, please call us at 512-452-2525 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Swanson.

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