We see people of all ages at DMC Health & Wellness, including people with natural, but sometimes painful changes that come along with ageing. Some people say pain is just a part of ageing process, however it doesn’t mean it has to stop you doing the things you love to do! This insight is going to cover the most common conditions that we see come along with getting older, how you can age wisely, and chiropractic can help.
More birthdays don’t have to equal more pain!
Statistically, pain is more common as we get older. This is due to lots of different changes happening in our bodies. Hormones change, our immune system becomes less robust, we don’t heal as quickly, and it can be harder to keep physically active. It’s also just a by-product of using your body for so many years. These changes can result in certain conditions that we commonly deal with.
What things come along with ageing?
Osteoarthritis (OA) – Also known as “degeneration” or “wear and tear”, involves inflammation and break down of cartilage around joints. Everyone will have OA eventually to varying degrees, so we like to call these “wrinkles on the inside”, meaning they’re proof that you’ve been living life, and actually using your body! But it can be very painful and debilitating for some people. To learn more about how we can help to manage OA, check out our insight here (https://www.dmchealth.com.au/osteoarthritis-and-chiropractic-care/).
Osteoporosis and Sarcopenia – Osteoporosis involves a loss of bone density and Sarcopenia is a loss of muscle and strength. These are very important to consider as we age, because they increase the risk of falls and fractures.
Menopause – Although not a condition itself, before (perimenopause) and during menopause is linked to lots of different painful conditions. This is due to body no longer producing the hormone oestrogen. Not only does this cause menopausal symptoms like hot flushes, disrupted sleep, and mood changes, it can also trigger or exacerbate migraines or chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia.
How can you support healthy ageing (with the help of chiropractic)?
Managing pain
Our role as chiropractors is to support you throughout your life to reduce pain, improve your function and overall wellbeing. Chiropractic care is for everyone. It is gentle and individualised to suit your specific needs. Hands on treatment can reduce pain intensity, helps to prevent flare ups and keeps you active.
Exercise and strength training
Because of the loss of bone and muscle density that occurs with age, exercise is crucial, especially strength training! This helps to maintain bone/muscle size and strength, meaning you can stay fit for longer. One thing that is always important for our older patients is to be able to comfortably pick up and play with their grandchildren again. Strength training also prevents against falls which is a major risk for older adults.
Lifestyle habits
You may notice that you feel the effects of what you eat or the quality of sleep that you get more than when you were in your 20s. This is why it’s important to address our nutrition and sleep as we age. We’ve covered these topics in our previous insight here (https://www.dmchealth.com.au/lifestyle-spinal-health/).
Another important aspect of healthy lifestyle habits for older adults is socialising. If you’re retired or winding down, you’ve got a lot more time on your hands, but some people find this difficult because they lack purpose and community. Consider community involvement opportunities like volunteering or sporting clubs to keep you connected to your local community and stay active at the same time.
At DMC Health & Wellness, we support older adults by providing genuine chiropractic care and comprehensive education about how to live a healthier life. Don’t let your age get in the way of living your life to the fullest.
About the authors
David McNaughton is a clinician, researcher and lecturer. He is the director and principal chiropractor at DMC Health & Wellness. He has an extensive background in the diagnosis and management of chronic pain. In addition to his clinical studies, David holds a Master’s of Research and PhD in Psychology. He regularly publishes his research in peer reviewed medical and psychology journals. David has taught both undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Chiropractic and Psychology.
Isaac Searant completed a Bachelor of Chiropractic Science, Master of Chiropractic and Master of Research at Macquarie University. His research aims to understand the clinical decisions health practitioners make about diagnostic imaging. His clinical interests include spinal pain (neck and back) and sporting injuries. Regardless of the condition, his goal as a chiropractor is to work collaboratively with patients.
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