Key to Senior Fitness: Chiropractic Care, Healthy Lifestyle

Over the hill at age 65? Ready for the rocker at 70? Not these days. Americans are living longer and making more of their later years. One key is exercise.

"Perhaps the most debilitating influence in people's health as they age is a sedentary life," said Dr. Jerome McAndrews, national spokesperson for the American Chiropractic Association (ACA). "Exercise of some type is all but mandatory."

Otherwise, an individual may set him or herself up for broken bones, circulation problems caused by atrophying blood vessels, and a myriad of other physical problems associated with aging.

"Exercise, however, can improve a person's mobility, digestive processes and circulation. It can also reduce anxiety. Add proper nutrition and you have the makings of a naturally healthy lifestyle," said Dr. McAndrews. "Following a healthy diet is another way of extending your golden years as long as possible."

Here are some general guidelines to help seniors maintain a healthy lifestyle:

Walking

  • Walking improves elasticity in blood vessels, which makes them less susceptible to formation of aneurysms or rupture.
  • Start with one-third of a mile per day - one-sixth out and one-sixth back. (Measure the distance with your car.) Do that three days a week for a month, then double the distance, working gradually up to at least one mile a day, three days a week.
  • Expect a little soreness in the thighs and calves for the first week or two. If you experience more than soreness, check with your chiropractor.

Stretching

  • The average person should stretch to prevent the bowing or stoop caused by shortening of ligaments. A stoop can inhibit normal breathing.
  • Stretch the groin muscles by sitting on the floor and bending one leg to the side and back as far as possible. Or sit Indian fashion on a cushion and watch television. A relaxed stretch is the goal.
  • Stretch the back leg muscles by putting your hands on a wall, one foot flat on the floor behind you. Then lean into the wall. Or stand up straight and bend over. Or sit with one foot on an ottoman and bend forward.

Eating Right

  • Make sure you have a properly balanced diet. If you take vitamins, take them with a meal. Drink 10 eight-ounce glasses of water a day to help keep the kidneys active, dilute and remove toxins from the body, and replace lost fluids. (Coffee, tea, soft drinks and alcohol are diuretics. Don't substitute them for water.)

Location

Find us on the map

Office Hours

Our Regular Schedule

Monday:

9-11:30

1pm - 6pm

Tuesday:

9 am - noon; Call for appointment locations & times

1pm - 6 pm; Call for appointment locations & times

Wednesday:

9 am - 12

2 - 6:00 pm

Thursday:

9am - 2pm Call for appointment location & times

1pm - 6 pm; Call for appointment locations & times

Friday:

9am - 1pm

Call for Appointment

Saturday:

Closed

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Closed

Testimonial

Review By Our Satisfied Patient

  • "As a veterinarian, I trust Dr. Rebecca with not only my patients, but my own dogs as well. She is professional, knowledgeable, and very skilled. She has a wonderful calm and patient approach to working with her patients, which is extremely important to me as a low stress/fear free certified professional myself. My dog loves Dr. Rebecca, and the change in his movement was noticeable even after a single adjustment!"
    Dr. Cassie Engmann
  • "This past Friday, Raven my Golden Retriever became really ill. My wife and I thought he was having either a stroke or a seizure. He could hardly walk. It turned out that he had vestibular disease. There was not much that the veterinarian could do for him except control his vomiting. Dr. Rebecca came out to the house that evening and worked on Raven's neck and back. He was running outside a couple of hours later and still is doing much better. It was awesome. Thank you so much!"
    Dr. Craig Coulliard, Chiropractor