Expert Chiropractic Care

Maintain your flexibility with chiropractic care!

When we’re young, it’s easy to take normal range of motion and flexibility for granted. As certain health conditions or as aging occurs, the cumulative effects of wear and tear can begin to affect movement. When this happens it can become difficult to carry on normal daily activities. Even a movement as simple as picking something up off the floor or tying shoes can be challenging. Luckily, chiropractic care can help increase both range of motion and flexibility.

A 2001 study by researchers at the Phillip Chiropractic Research Centre of RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia found that chiropractic adjustments increased range of motion in the 105 study participants. The study, published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, included three phases in which participants were given no adjustments, fake adjustments or true adjustments. The patients who were given the true adjustments showed a significant improvement in range of motion – not the case for the other two groups.

For some individuals, a decrease in range of motion and flexibility can lead to a downward spiral toward partial disability. An injury or degenerative condition can cause pain, swelling and stiffness, limiting flexibility and range of motion. As a result, a person might begin to avoid activities that involve the affected body parts, either consciously or unconsciously. This potentially becomes a classic case of “use it or lose it.” Without regular exercise, the muscles and joints stiffen, adhesions and scar tissue can form, and mobility is further reduced.

A chiropractor uses spinal adjustments and manipulations to realign the bones and joints so as to reduce paint, restore range of motion, and improve flexibility, balance, and coordination. These adjustments may be performed manually, or other techniques may be employed to increase circulation and improve function. These may include ultrasound, trigger point therapy, electrical stimulation or cold laser therapy. Your chiropractor can also recommend specific exercises that can be done at home to increase strength and flexibility so that you’re able to maintain and build upon the benefits received from chiropractic adjustments.

The most common complaint of people who enter a chiropractic office is back pain. As a result, many people end up restricting activities when back pain occurs. With regular chiropractic care, it is possible to reduce or eliminate the source of back and joint pain allowing for resumption of normal activities. Maintaining range of motion and flexibility can help you function optimally into the golden years.