Health

The Interplay of Pain and Mobility in Elderly Fall Risk

~ Dr. Robert Speirs DC ~ Leave a comment

Chiropractic: Chronic Pain May Increase Fall Risk for Seniors!

The ramifications of falls among elderly individuals extend far beyond the physical injury itself, often encroaching upon independence and diminishing overall quality of life. Traditionally, impaired motor function has been pinpointed as a primary risk factor for falls among the elderly. However, a recent report published in Aging Clinical and Experimental Research in March 2015 has unveiled a startling revelation: older adults with ostensibly normal motor function are not immune to the perils of falls, particularly when grappling with chronic musculoskeletal pain across multiple body sites.

This finding challenges conventional wisdom and underscores the intricate interplay between pain and mobility in the context of fall risk among the elderly. Chronic musculoskeletal pain, pervasive among aging populations, introduces a formidable obstacle to mobility and stability, predisposing individuals to the hazards of falls despite outwardly intact motor function.

The implications of this report reverberate throughout the realms of geriatric healthcare and fall prevention. Healthcare providers must adopt a holistic approach to fall risk assessment, incorporating not only measures of motor function but also comprehensive evaluations of pain and musculoskeletal health. By identifying and addressing chronic pain as a modifiable risk factor, clinicians can mitigate the likelihood of falls and safeguard the independence and well-being of elderly patients.

Furthermore, this research underscores the imperative for multidisciplinary interventions aimed at enhancing mobility, managing pain, and fortifying musculoskeletal health among aging populations. Through targeted strategies encompassing physical therapy, pain management, and lifestyle modifications, healthcare professionals can empower older adults to navigate their golden years with confidence and vitality, minimizing the specter of falls and preserving their autonomy and quality of life.

Mental Attitude: Money is the Top Stressor in the United States.

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What is CST and how can it help?

Mental Attitude: Money is the Top Stressor in the United States.

Despite the ongoing economic recovery and an overall decline in stress levels, money worries continue to plague Americans. A new survey reveals that 64% of adults believe finances to be a significant source of stress, ranking higher than three other major sources of stress: work (60%), family responsibilities (47%), and health concerns (46%). Dr. Norman Anderson of the American Psychological Association explains, “Money is a very important component of establishing a secure life. When people are financially challenged, it makes sense that their stress level would go up.” American Psychological Association, February 2015

Wellness/Prevention: Reducing Work-Family Conflict Can Improve Sleep.

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Wellness/Prevention: Reducing Work-Family Conflict Can Improve Sleep.

A study involving hundreds of managers and employees at a firm in the United States found that employees enrolled in a program to reduce work-family conflicts reported improved sleep quality. The program, which lasted three months, included discussion groups, role-playing, and games. Managers were also trained to be supportive of employees’ family demands. Lead investigator Dr. Orfeu Buxton writes, “Work can be a calling and inspirational, as well as a paycheck, but work should not be detrimental to health. It is possible to mitigate some of the deleterious effects of work by reducing work-family conflict, and improving sleep.” Sleep Health, January 2015

Health Alert: Chemical Exposure May Drive Earlier Menopause in Women.

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Health Alert: Chemical Exposure May Drive Earlier Menopause in Women.

Researchers have discovered that women exposed to high levels of certain chemicals found in household items, personal care products, plastics, and the environment typically begin to experience menopause two to four years earlier than women with less exposure to these chemicals (which include PCBs, pesticides, phthalates, and furan). Senior study author Dr. Amber Cooper adds, “Many of these chemical exposures are beyond our control because they are in the soil, water, and air. But we can educate ourselves about our day-to-day chemical exposures and become more aware of the plastics and other household products we use.” The research team recommends further research to determine how much exposure is needed to impact female health.

PLOS ONE, January 2015

Diet: Soda Consumption May Prompt Early Puberty in Girls.

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Diet: Soda Consumption May Prompt Early Puberty in Girls.

Harvard researchers report that girls who consume a lot of sugary drinks may enter puberty earlier than girls who do not consume such beverages. The female participants in their study who drank more than 1.5 servings of sugary drinks per day began having periods 2.7 months earlier than those who drank two or less sugary drinks per week. Study author Dr. Jenny Carwile adds, “Starting periods early is a risk factor for depression during adolescence and breast cancer during adulthood. Thus, our findings have implications beyond just starting menstruation early.” While this study does prove that drinking sugary drinks causes early puberty, the researchers add that there is no good reason for anyone to drink sugar-sweetened drinks or sodas regularly at any age. Human Reproduction, January 2015

CranioSacral Technique is especially good at treating headaches.

Health Alert: Many Public Defibrillators Failing Over Past Decade.

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Health Alert: Many Public Defibrillators Failing Over Past Decade.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that there have been 72,000 reports of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) devices failing since 2005. AEDs are portable devices that are usually found in public places that are designed to save lives by automatically detecting potentially deadly heart rhythms and delivering an electrical shock to restore a normal heart rhythm. Based on the findings, the FDA plans to strengthen its approval process by inspecting manufacturing facilities and having manufactures file annual reports on device performance.

Food and Drug Administration, January 2015

Chiropractic: Musculoskeletal Pain Affects School Teachers.

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Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

Chiropractic: Musculoskeletal Pain Affects School Teachers.

An assessment of 486 self-evaluation surveys from female school teachers in Saudi Arabia reveals that musculoskeletal pain is surprisingly prevalent in the profession. Their most common complaint was low back pain, followed by knee pain, heel pain, shoulder pain, upper back pain, hip joint pain, ankle pain, and neck pain. Furthermore, nearly half (46.1%) of the teachers surveyed claimed that their pain affected their teaching performance. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, November 2014

Mental Attitude: Childhood Neglect May Affect Brain Development.

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Mental Attitude: Childhood Neglect May Affect Brain Development.

A new study finds that severe childhood neglect may cause structural changes to the brain, but early intervention may reverse such alterations. Researchers found that children who remained in institutional care exhibited structural changes in certain areas of the brain’s white matter which facilitate communication between different areas of the brain. However, they found that children who had been moved from institutional care to foster care had white matter similar to that of children who had never been in institutional care, suggesting that the movement to foster care reversed the white matter abnormalities. The researchers write, “Our findings have important implications for public health related to early prevention and intervention for children reared in conditions of severe neglect or adverse contexts more generally.” JAMA Pediatrics, January 2015

Chiropractic: Becoming a Doctor of Chiropractic…

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Chiropractic: Becoming a Doctor of Chiropractic…

To become a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic, an aspiring chiropractor must meet stringent academic and professional requirements. Currently, an individual must complete the following steps to become a licensed chiropractor: complete required general college-level studies, obtain a Doctor of Chiropractic degree and complete a clinical internship through an accredited four-year chiropractic college program, pass the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners’ and/or other state-required examinations, and satisfy any other individual state-specific requirements for licensure, which include mandatory continuing education credits in all but one state. Additionally, a Doctor of Chiropractic can earn additional certifications in areas such as pediatrics, radiology, neurology, nutrition, spinal trauma, and more. National Board of Chiropractic Examiners, August 2014

Exercise Tip Of The Month

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10-reasons-every-woman-should-try-crossfit-promo-image

Women are often afraid to lift weights for fear they will look too “bulky”, but actually that’s not what happens.

Women can and should do weight lifting exercises if they want to shed body fat and achieve a toned physique. Strength training 30 to 40 minutes twice a week for 4 months, could increase an average woman’s resting metabolism by 100 calories a day, meaning you’ll be burning calories even when you’re not exercising.