Old Bones, New Thinking

Regardless of age, when spinal damage goes uncorrected the body deposits calcium on the surface of adjacent bones that are not moving properly. The stressors in life that affect all of us also affect the spine. As we age, this spinal damage accumulates. For example, old sports injuries, ski accidents from years ago and previous car accidents  impact our bodies many years later. Also, the elderly are generally less active and have more sedentary lifestyles. This also places greater stress on the spine in later years - in particular the low back. If neglected, these calcium deposits cause degeneration or arthritis in the spine or extremities and, ultimately, complete fusion.

Since our bodies are so adaptable, the early phase of arthritis may go unnoticed. There may be no warning signs or symptoms. Then, as time passes, stiffness that is initially intermittent will become more long lasting. The stiffness felt briefly at the start of the day will last longer and longer throughout the day. Then, pain presents. This pain  becomes more predominant. If neglected long enough, fusion of the involved joints, whether in the spine or extremities, will lead to loss of motion and mobility. Atrophy of muscles, permanent nerve damage and soft tissue degeneration follow. Simply put, one’s quality of life diminishes.

This is a scenario that Dr. Kjaer, Victoria Family Chiropractor, sees and hears all too frequently. It is no secret that people have more problems in their muscles, joints and ligaments as they age. What is not widely shared is the reality that not every ache and pain we feel as we age is inevitable or untreatable. Dr. Kjaer shares this message with the many elderly and seniors he helps. Chiropractic care may undo many aches and pains seniors assume are inevitable. Older people are often told that their complaints are just part of growing old and they have only been offered drugs. Seniors and their children report how refreshing it is to know that there is a reason for the pain and that a treatment is offered that can improve their mobility and health status naturally.

Chiropractic care for seniors is an active area of scientific research. Techniques of diagnosis and treatment are constantly improving. Precautions are taken and treatments modified to suit older patients just as they would be for children . Treatment to help restore mobility in an elderly patient is individualized for that particular person. Consideration is given to the patient's living arrangements, family relationships and functional disabilities.

Regarding treatment, different degrees of pressure are applied depending on the frailty of the patient. Dr. Kjaer uses his hands and can also apply the "Activator Technique". This is an instrument-assisted technique. The hand held Activator instrument delivers a controlled "push" in a specific direction to a specific joint. Like with any treatment, results will vary from person to person. This can be an alternative to those patients that are uncomfortable with a "hands-on" treatment.

Elderly patients and seniors  relate that they are more active in the community, less likely to be hospitalized due to a fall and exercise more regularly than had they not been under chiropractic care. They are more mobile and generally feel better.

Just as Dr. Kjaer would for any of his patients, he guides the seniors he treats on exercise, nutrition and individualized stretching routines. These factors influence their progress in the short term and are crucial elements in maintaining overall good health in the long term.

Too often people attribute arthritis to getting older or that it was inherited.

This is simply not the case! This condition may be PREVENTED.

Arthritis happens when untreated injuries and uncorrected joint misalignments cause degeneration in the joints and discs. Osteoarthritis, degenerative arthritis, degenerative joint disease, and degenerative disc disease all describe the same process: slow wear and tear of a joint - whether in the spine or the extremities. The sooner this degenerative process is interupted, the greater the likelihood of success.

Drugs and anti-inflammatories will only mask the symptoms. Massage may not help since it addresses muscles. Arthritis is a process that happens in the joints. 

Consider chiropractic care. Dr. Kjaer has been helping seniors for more than 17 years. The goal is to restore proper motion and function to the arthritic joints so they work with as little friction or stress as possible.

It could make you a lot younger!!

There is hope. There is a solution. 

Call us at 250.477.4702 for help!