Immune System and Overall Health

When your spine is properly aligned, it increases circulation which helps clean out toxins from your body. It also allows the brain to communicate fully with all parts of your body, allowing it to monitor and repair the body more effectively. One study has shown a major increase in specific immune system markers found in the blood of adults who regularly visited a chiropractor.

Pain relief

Back pain in many patients is often a result of degenerative changes to the joints and discs. As you age the wear and tear put on your spine can cause unwanted changes. If your back is not aligned, it places increased pressure on vertebrae and discs which can lead to degeneration. Chiropractic adjustments can help ease the pain from these misaligned vertebrae by relieving pressure from the nerves that make up the soft tissue or the joints and discs.

Balance and Coordination

Small receptors at the base of the cervical spine help your brain understand where your limbs are functioning in space. As you age, these receptors do not function as efficiently as before, making it more difficult to understand how your body is moving through space. This results in more falls, poor balance, and difficulty in getting up or walking. Chiropractic care helps to improve the communication in the spine and has been shown to stimulate the receptors and increase their effectiveness. (June 15:67-94.Guyton, MD. Textbook of Medical Physiology. 9th edition. WB Saunders, Philadelphia 1996; 714)

Flexibility and Range of Motion

In 2001, an Australian study proved that regular chiropractic adjustments could increase the range of motion for patients. As patients age, helping them maintain their flexibility and range of motion translates into better quality of life. They can continue doing the things they enjoy and are less likely to develop pain from those activities.

Quality of Life

Dr. Ian Coulter studied the effects of regular chiropractic care among elderly populations and found a shocking increase in the quality of life of patients. Patients he followed reported these amazing benefits from their chiropractic care:

• 22% less likely to suffer from arthritis
• more likely to exercise
• much less likely to move to a nursing home (5% of those who had chiropractic care vs. 48% of those who did not)
• Decreased incidence of hospital stays