Chiropractic Care and Senior Health

Author: CCA Staff Team

The end of May marks National Senior Health & Fitness Day; a day to ensure that the seniors in your life are getting the care they need.
Today on our blog, we are partnering with The Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance to discuss healthy aging.
A common misconception is that getting older is synonymous with pain, being off balance and unsure of footing. But it doesn’t have to be! Being proactive about your health and ensuring you get the right care, at the right time, by the right provider, means that pain doesn’t have to be a daily battle.

How to Talk to Your Doctor About Your Pain

Chiropractors are experts in the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. As we age, we are generally more susceptible to develop injuries, aches and pain. Canada’s chiropractors are committed to helping Canadians live healthy lives by reducing the risk of falls, injuries and disability. For patients, keeping track of medications and appointments can be burdensome. Providing your doctor with accurate information is paramount but can be a murky area for patients, regardless of age. Keeping a log of when and for how long the pain persists can ensure that you are able to provide your chiropractor with the information necessary to arrive at the proper diagnosis.

What Can Back Pain Signal?

Back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide and the root cause can often be a mystery. Thankfully, that is where your chiropractor can help. Back pain can be the result of overuse and misuse of your back muscles in younger years, but keeping an open line of dialogue with your chiropractor can assure any unusual or worsening pains are addressed immediately. While all pain is problematic it is important that severe pain is accurately described to your physician.

What is Mesothelioma?

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that occurs in the thin layer of cells lining the body’s internal organs, known as the mesothelium. Mesothelioma has a poor prognosis. And 91% of people diagnosed with mesothelioma are 55 or older. However, many studies of the disease have shown that early detection and diagnosis can significantly improve chances of survival. Identifying mesothelioma before it spreads can increase the effectiveness of treatments, as well as open opportunities to try more aggressive treatments that might not otherwise be available. Back pain can be one of the early indicators of mesothelioma, which is one of the many reasons why paying attention to back pain is important for seniors. Diagnosing mesothelioma is done by cancer specialists, such as oncologists, and may involve imaging scans, blood tests, and biopsies. Visit www.mesothelioma.com for more information.

 Further resources for senior health:

  • Did you know that one in every three Canadians over age 65 will fall at least once in a year? If you, or someone you know, is at risk of falling, check out the CCA Falls Prevention guide: https://www.chiropractic.ca/resources/falls-prevention/
  • After the age of 65, the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease doubles approximately every five years. Visit the Alzheimer Society Canada website to review the 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s: http://alzheimer.ca/en/Home/About-dementia/Alzheimers-disease/10-warning-signs
  • The risk of developing most types of arthritis increases with age. Chiropractic care helps by maintaining alignment in bones and joints, activating and maintaining the nervous system, and providing rehabilitation recommendations such as exercise routines to help patients achieve their goals. Talk to your chiropractor about arthritis care, and visit the Arthritis Society to learn more: https://www.arthritis.ca/

Taking time to discuss your health with a professional can ensure a long, active, pain-free life.

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