The Secret to Aging Well: How Chiropractic Supports Mobility and Comfort

Aging is a natural part of life, but stiff joints, muscle weakness, and chronic pain don’t have to be. Many older adults experience osteoporosis, spinal degeneration, and arthritis, leading to discomfort and reduced mobility. While these changes are common, there are ways to maintain function, reduce pain, and stay active well into your golden years.

Chiropractic care is a non-invasive approach that may help support joint mobility, spinal health, and overall movement as part of a proactive wellness routine. This blog explores how chiropractic care may be beneficial for older adults looking to maintain their independence, mobility, and quality of life.

How Aging Affects Mobility and Comfort

As we age, our bodies go through natural changes that can impact movement, including:

• Decreased joint flexibility due to cartilage wear and tear
• Weakened muscles that support movement and posture
• Slower recovery from injuries
• Increased spinal degeneration, leading to stiffness and discomfort

Conditions such as osteoarthritis, sciatica, and spinal misalignments can make simple activities—such as bending, walking, or getting out of bed—more difficult. While these challenges are common, research suggests that proactive care, including movement-based therapies like chiropractic, may help support functional mobility. (Bronfort et al., 2010)

Can Chiropractic Care Help With Aging?

Chiropractic care focuses on spinal and joint health, which plays a key role in movement and balance. Spinal adjustments and gentle mobilization techniques are commonly used to support mobility and address musculoskeletal discomfort.

For seniors, chiropractic adjustments may offer several potential benefits, including:

• **Improved joint mobility – Helps support a better range of motion in the spine and other joints
• **Reduced pain and stiffness – Addresses common discomfort caused by postural imbalances and spinal restrictions
• **Better posture – May help prevent the forward head posture and rounded shoulders that develop with age
• **Support for nervous system function – Aligning the spine may help optimize communication between the brain and body

A systematic review published in JAMA found that spinal manipulative therapy was associated with clinical benefit for back pain, especially in older adults (Paige et al., 2017).

Managing Common Age-Related Conditions

Many seniors experience chronic pain from degenerative conditions, but chiropractic care may offer a non-pharmaceutical approach to managing discomfort.

Osteoarthritis

• Affects the knees, hips, spine, and hands due to cartilage breakdown
• Chiropractic care may help reduce joint stiffness and support movement efficiency

Sciatica

• Nerve compression in the lower back can cause radiating pain down the legs
• Studies suggest that manual therapy and chiropractic adjustments may help improve mobility and reduce sciatic pain. (Rubinstein et al., 2019)

Neck and Back Pain

• Spinal misalignments may contribute to chronic stiffness and nerve compression
• Spinal manipulation has shown effectiveness in relieving chronic lower back and neck pain across age groups (Rubinstein et al., 2019)

By addressing these common pain sources, chiropractic care may be a helpful part of an integrated pain management strategy for older adults.

Strength and Balance Training for Fall Prevention

Falls are a major concern for seniors, often leading to fractures or hospitalizations. Chiropractors can provide guidance on strength and balance exercises to help improve stability and coordination.

Some recommended exercises include:

• Core and leg strengthening exercises – To support balance and posture
• Gentle stretching routines – To improve flexibility and prevent stiffness
• Balance exercises – To reduce fall risk and improve mobility

By combining chiropractic adjustments with exercise and movement strategies, seniors can build strength and confidence in daily activities.

Chiropractic Care and Quality of Life

Beyond pain relief, chiropractic care is about supporting a full and active lifestyle. Whether it’s playing with grandchildren, gardening, or traveling, many seniors want to maintain independence and mobility.

Chiropractic may be part of a holistic approach to senior well-being, along with:

• Hydration and nutrition to support joint health
• Proper posture habits
• Daily movement and stretching
• Good sleep practices

Emerging research also suggests chiropractic care may have a positive impact on stress markers and overall well-being, such as reduced cortisol levels and anxiety perception (Kirk & Martin, 2022).

When to Seek Chiropractic Care

If you are experiencing chronic pain, stiffness, or reduced mobility, a chiropractor can assess your individual needs and develop a personalized care plan.

Chiropractic may be suitable for older adults who:

• Want a non-invasive option for managing musculoskeletal pain
• Are looking to support movement and flexibility
• Want to reduce stiffness and postural imbalances

To learn more about how chiropractic care may support your mobility and comfort as you age, contact Lakeside Chiropractic today.

📞 Call us at 9300 0095 or Book Online Here

📍 Serving the Joondalup & Northern Suburbs of Perth

Lakeside Chiropractic is central to the northern suburbs of Perth, located in the City of Joondalup. If you are in the surrounding suburbs such as Yanchep - 6035, Tapping - 6065, Carramar - 6031, Currambine - 6028, Wanneroo - 6065, Heathridge - 6027, Edgewater - 6027, Gnangara - 6077, Mullaloo - 6027, Padbury - 6025, Kingsley - 6026, Woodvale - 6026, Banksia Grove - 6031, or Duncraig - 6023, our team is here to assist you.

References:

1. Bronfort, G., Haas, M., Evans, R., Leininger, B., & Triano, J. (2010). Effectiveness of manual therapies: the UK evidence report. Chiropractic & Osteopathy, 18(3). PMC
2. Paige, N. M., Miake-Lye, I. M., Booth, M. S., et al. (2017). Association of spinal manipulative therapy with clinical benefit and harm for acute low back pain: systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA, 317(14), 1451-1460. PMC
3. Rubinstein, S. M., Terwee, C. B., Assendelft, W. J. J., et al. (2019). Spinal manipulative therapy for chronic low-back pain: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Cochrane Review
4. Alcantara, J., Ohm, J., & Kunz, D. (2010). The chiropractic care of children. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 16(6), 621-626. researchgate.net
5. Kirk, J. M., & Martin, P. D. (2022). Reduction of cortisol levels and perceived anxiety in a patient undergoing chiropractic management for neck pain and headache: A case report and review of the literature. Journal of Contemporary Chiropractic, 5, 74-81. journal.parker.edu

Disclaimer:

This blog is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Individual results may vary.