As we age, we begin to ignore many common ranges of motion because they become painful. As a result, many of us are unaware the joints are fixated because we don't fully use them anymore. Not only do we lose range of motion, but as the discs begin to degenerate and joints stiffen, nerve innervation slowly declines. The body becomes less aware of its position in the world and muscles slowly begin to weaken. This decline in our body's proprioception, or joint position sense, increases our susceptibility to falls. Chiropractic care can greatly assist the body by unwinding tension that leads to joint fixation and freeing the nerves to engage stronger connections between the brain and body.
Once a patient has a fall, these fixated areas are aggressively shifted, and all joints are subject to very quick movement. Any bones that are out of alignment lose their compensation systems and bones that are in alignment are shifted out of place by this rapid change, producing global inflammation and instability. Because the bones are held together by joints and a web of muscles, all the muscles work together to tighten up and support instability in the structure. It's best to be under chiropractic care immediately after having a fall, as the joints and bones will move more freely during this brief period. Without realignment, the body will tighten up the muscular system as best it can to provide bracing of the misaligned structures. It will then heal and stabilize in a position that can cause problems for years and even decades to come.
The best recommendation after a fall is a regimen of chiropractic care along with any needed bracing of the rib cage and pelvis. Dr. Jeremy finds that the Egoscue series of targeted stretches can also provide muscular relief as the body finds new balance.
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