Many senior patients in our State College office come to us due to neck problems, and Drs. Matt & Annie Reyes is often able to help with the recovery process. Nonetheless, neck pain is all too common in the elderly, as reported in an article printed in Geriatrics, with causes ranging from arthritis to some type of trauma and even infections or tumors. Fortunately, research has discovered that chiropractic adjustments is extremely beneficial for this particular age group to overcome neck problems issues especially when paired with a home exercise program.
One such study was funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration and published in The Spine Journal. In this piece of research, 240 individuals aged 65 or older were included as they reported neck pain levels of a 3 or greater for a period of at least three months. Each person was then placed into one of three groups: spinal manipulative therapy plus home exercise, supervised rehabilitative exercise plus home exercise, or home exercise only.
Data was collected at the start of the study, as well as at predetermined intervals of 4 weeks, 12 weeks, 26 weeks, and 52 weeks. Information taken included pain levels, disability status, overall health, satisfaction with treatment, overall improvement and any changes in medication intake.
Twelve weeks into the treatment, the patients who were administered spinal manipulative therapy and doing home exercises reported 10% less pain than the people in the group that were doing home exercises only. They also did better than the group involved with supervised rehabilitative exercise plus home exercise, citing 5 percent reduced discomfort than that group overall.
This is amazing news for seniors who engaged in chiropractic therapy as it offers better results. But, let's not forget the benefits of home exercise. So, what kinds of exercises are helpful for seniors dealing with neck discomfort?
The American Senior Fitness Association states that one of the best ways to lessen your neck problems is to focus on improving your neck alignment through better posture. This includes:
There are also some exercises you can do as well that can help improve your neck muscles and reduce your potential pain. The first one involves sitting in a chair and placing your left hand on your waist while putting your right hand on your cheek. Slowly and lightly try to push your right ear toward your right shoulder, using your hand to resist the movement. Count to three as you do this and then relax and repeat on the other side.
A second exercise that is beneficial is based on the same type of resistance, except this time you are going to place your hands behind your head and pull your chin back. Use your clasped hands to create a light resistance, again holding for a count of three before relaxing and repeating a few more times.
If you are keen in learning more ways to help lighten neck problems as you age, please contact our office and schedule an appointment with Drs. Matt & Annie Reyes. We'll do our best to help you feel better no matter what your age.
References
Maiers, M et al. (2014, September 1). Spinal manipulative therapy and exercise for seniors with chronic neck pain. Spine, 14(9), 1879-1889, doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2013.10.035 Moskovich, R. (1988). Neck pain in the elderly: common causes and management. Geriatrics,43(4), 65-70, 77, 81-2 passim. Wilson, MA. Sit down and exercise! Mature Fitness
Dr. Matt Reyes was born and raised in Apalachin, a small town in Upstate New York. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology with a concentration in Fitness Development from the State University at New York College at Cortland. He then fulfilled his ambition to become a Doctor of Chiropractic when he graduated from New York Chiropractic College in 2013.
