Boomers and Beyond

Growing Older
Growing older doesn't have to mean aches and pains...or having a hard time getting around. With good health, your aging years can be the most productive and enjoyable time of your life.

Your Doctor of Chiropractic may be a helpful partner in your health care picture to help safeguard the best years ahead.

Take a moment to read this article and find out how you can begin today to make the right choices for your healthy future and for the future of those you love.

Healthy Habits
Good habits are meant to last a lifetime...and it's never too late to start! In fact many of the "stereotypes" of aging can be avoided with good habits, understanding and attitudes.

For example did you know that I.Q. scores do not necessarily go down with age if you are healthy? Or that diseases are not caused simply by aging?

This means you can make healthy choices everyday about your diet, lifestyle and health care which can best help you attain a pain free and promising future. And the case for working with your body naturally through chiropractic may hold a particular reward.

Facts On Aging The aging population in our country has been called our "fastest growing minority." Yet with the good news, there are some serious difficulties:

• At least 86% of all elderly people have some kind of chronic illness. (In fact, the average elder has three such conditions).
• 50% of hospital beds are occupied by the elderly.
• Low back pain affects up to 90% of those over 65, costing nearly 1 billion dollars per year in Medicare payments(U.S.)
• 42% of persons over 65 are limited in function.
• Nearly 33% of our elderly population experience falls each year.

These high statistics reflect special problems for our seniors. The traditional health care system has not been able to meet these enormous needs. Frequently prescribed medicines may present another dilemma. While often necessary and helpful, caution is warranted. Major side effects such as confusion, dizziness, vertigo, nausea, memory problems and falling are common because of the effect of age on medications. In fact, many elderly are hospitalized each year just because of bad reactions to a prescription drugs! This is worsened by the fact that half of older adults do not use their prescriptions correctly.

Surgery for our seniors often poses further risk and hardships.

This means it is well worth your while to maximize and maintain your health and mobility naturally as you age. Because chiropractic care offers a unique focus on your overall health - including preventative care, you may find it quite welcome as a part of your health care.

Healthy Help
Chiropractic treatment is a drug less, painless and surgically free health care approach. Millions of people have achieved satisfaction during a century of chiropractic care.

Chiropractic offers a conservative, holistic approach that addresses your whole person - not just an isolated part. Special emphasis is given to preventative care - which includes healthy life choices in diet, stretching and exercise, as well as comprehensive musculoskeletal care.

This is especially encouraging for seniors. More than 30% of all regular medical office visits by elderly patients were for musculoskeletal complaints such as joint pain, backache and difficulties in walking.

Often, medical doctors use a variety of drugs including analgesics and tranquilizers or even surgery to treat these conditions. Yet most musculoskeletal conditions are commonly cared for by chiropractic physicians without the use of drugs or surgery!

Your chiropractic care may include "adjustments" of the spine and musculature which are performed with the aid of a hand held Activator® instrument. The goal of adjustments is to help allow the body to the best function and repair itself.

Additional treatments such as hot and cold therapy or special home programs for nutrition and exercise may also be used. A thorough examination and health history by your chiropractor will determine what is best for you.

Your Doctor And You
As a trained professional with a minimum of six years of college study, your practitioner of chiropractic can offer you a sensitive, professional diagnosis and evaluation and skilled, safe care as warranted.

Chiropractors desire to work in concert with medical doctors and other health care specialists and offer referrals when needed.

The objective of chiropractic practice is to help you perform better and live pain free...to stay healthy, limber and strong...and to work with your body's natural healing capacity for a longer, happier and independent life.

The conservative care provided through chiropractic may be an important element in your healthy aging. Because your life is worth living to the fullest, isn't it time you talked to your Doctor of Chiropractic?