Are Chiropractic Adjustments Safe For Elders?

Dr Brian Nantais
3 min readMar 29, 2024

As the over-65 population expands, maintaining quality of life and mobility into advanced age is a priority. Many seniors turn to Chiropractic Care as a drug-free way of alleviating back and joint pain to stay active. However, given conditions like osteoporosis or arthritis that come with aging, is chiropractic safe for seniors? Chiropractors report that when performed properly, their activations and modifications administer only gentle pressures unlikely to harm patients — including elderly ones. This blog will discuss some factors around the safety and efficacy of chiropractic care for seniors. Before diving into the discussion, if you want safe and effective chiropractic treatment in Canada, contact Dr Brian Nantais, a skilled chiropractor from Nantais Family Chiropractic at the Elevation Health clinic.

Nantais Family Chiropractic has experienced and expert chiropractors who have a record of treating several elderly persons and helping them to live a life with less pain and discomfort. Our chiropractors are well-trained and have licenses to treat people with musculoskeletal issues. If you are facing musculoskeletal problems and want Chiropractic Care for that problem, visit Elevation Health, Canada.

Now, let’s look at the discussion:-

1. Adapting Techniques for Patient Condition

2. Focusing on Gradual Healing Without Strain

3. Avoiding Areas of Severe Compromise

4. Noting Contraindications for Special Conditions

5. Preventing Offsetting Joint Instability

6. Carefully Screening Patients for Risk Factors

7. Advising Around Activity Levels Post-Care

Adapting Techniques for Patient Condition:

Skilled Chiropractors tailor their adjustment methods based on a patient’s age, fragility and unique needs. Gentle, low-force activator instruments are often utilized instead of manual manipulations to increase precision and control. Customizing techniques to patient requirements maximizes outcomes while preventing injury.

Focusing on Gradual Healing Without Strain:

Chiropractors space out senior sessions to allow gradual progress between visits instead of aggressive over-adjusting. Restricted movement from arthritis or osteoporosis means recovery time increases with age. Keeping Chiropractic Adjustments mild and allowing rest promotes cumulative healing without pushing fragile joints too far.

Avoiding Areas of Severe Compromise:

Chiropractors also avoid direct adjustments to severely inflamed, weakened or trapped nerves which could cause secondary damage. Multimodal treatment plans incorporating massage, heat therapy and gentle stretches reinforce areas that cannot withstand activation pressure. This holistic approach prevents harm while still facilitating natural healing.

Noting Contraindications for Special Conditions:

Special contraindications apply for seniors with advanced osteoporosis, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis or joint replacements. Knowledgeable chiropractors avoid direct mechanical activations to fragile vertebral areas to prevent nerve impingement, bone fractures or prosthetic dislocations. Instead, they use milder vibration tools and indirect pressures to stimulate circulation and provide relief.

Preventing Offsetting Joint Instability:

Seniors often develop postural imbalances, scoliosis or instability as muscles weaken over decades of strain. Skilled chiropractors customize care to gradually realign stance and gait without risking unintended joint dislocation. Stability work reinforces adjustments so joints recover position in a controlled manner.

Carefully Screening Patients for Risk Factors:

Responsible chiropractors screen seniors carefully at intake for red flags like severe osteoporosis, aortic aneurysms, spinal instability or tumours that could complicate adjustments. Open communication rules out those with higher complication risks unsuitable for manual activation techniques before beginning.

Advising Around Activity Levels Post-Care:

Chiropractors help seniors modify daily living activities that could inhibit healing between visits. Recommendations to temporarily minimize lifting, bending or household chores that irritate joints protect progress from re-straining healing areas. Guidance prevents seniors from pushing themselves too quickly and undoing benefits.

Final Note

Today’s well-educated chiropractors have more specialized techniques and precautions to tailor care safely to elderly patients. Lighter forces, slower pace and avoidance of direct pressure on severely fragile areas allow seniors to benefit from alignment and pain relief without additional injury risks. The smart application prevents missteps. So, under proper supervision, chiropractic remains helpful for aging bodies. Contact Dr Brian Nantais at Elevation Health, Canada, for the best chiro care for elderly persons today.

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Dr Brian Nantais
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Dr Brian Nantais is an experienced chiropractor and offers spinal adjustments for pain management. He also shares his experiences through his articles.