Chiropractic Care for the Aging Population

Maintaining optimal health becomes even more important to our quality of life as we get older. As we age, spinal discs, joints, ligaments, muscles and other physical systems become weaker, more fibrous, less hydrated and less able to withstand normal strain. The body becomes more vulnerable to injury and arthritis from degenerative changes to the spine and neck. Chiropractic care is especially important for aging adults to improve health and mobility. As the population continues to age, there will be a growing need for the chiropractic profession to meet the needs of this demographic.

By the year 2030, it is expected that one in every five Americans will be age 65 or older. Today's seniors are more health conscious than ever before, and they have the resources to maintain it. After financial security, quality of life is their top priority. Chiropractic care can be an integral solution for retaining mobility and independence. While most take some combination of prescribed drugs, many are increasingly seeking non-invasive approaches to optimizing health. Chiropractic care features minimal intervention, reducing the need for costly hospitalization and potentially dangerous and disruptive medications. The gentle, safe and effective techniques provided by chiropractors are particularly reassuring to this age group.

Practitioners interested in developing their career in chiropractic should work on expanding their patient mix by creating relationships with older adults. This can be accomplished by making the effort to talk to the children of their older patients, sharing insights and developing the trust necessary to promote client relationships. Another way of developing relationships with older clients is conducting short presentations for senior communities and clubs, helping to clarify the benefits of chiropractic while resolving potential misperceptions. Creating and nurturing relationships with other healthcare professionals will help to expand a support network, providing mutual benefits.

The skills learned in chiropractic college can help this demographic of patients manage or eliminate acute and chronic pain, increase flexibility, restore balance and postural alignment, de-stress and tune the nervous system, as well as enhance general well-being. Gentle adjusting techniques are used to help restore and maintain function so seniors can reach their highest potential.

Chiropractic care is far more than pain relief. Restoring the function of the nervous system through adjustments can help reduce the risk of falls and improve balance and coordination. Students pursuing a chiropractic career should make these benefits clear when assisting older patients.