Chiropractic Care May Help Reduce Falls Risk for Older Adults

Falls are a major source of concern for older adults and caregivers.  The statistics can be daunting.  Did you know:

·        More than 80% of injury-related hospitals admissions for people over 65 are a result of a fall.

·        Falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths in older adults.

·        Each year, an estimated 30-40% of community-dwelling older adults will have at least 1 fall.

·        The rate of falls rises quickly with age (especially over 80) or the presence of lower limb weakness, gait deficits, balance deficits or a history of falling.

Many of the risk factors are a result of the general deterioration that comes from aging.  For a specific incident, most falls have multiple contributing factors and cannot be attributed to a single specific cause.  

Few studies have explored how chiropractic can influence falls risk.  However, there is basic science evidence that indicates chiropractic care may “influence sensory and motor systems that potentially have an impact on some of the neuromuscular risk factors associated with falling.” 

Researchers in New Zealand completed a study of 60 community-dwelling adults over 65 years of age to determine what impact 12 weeks of regular chiropractic care would have on the sensorimotor functions commonly linked with fall risk.

Participants were divided into 2 groups: a control group and a chiropractic group.  Participant’s sensorimotor function and quality of life were evaluated for the study purposes.  Assessments were made when the study initially began, at 4 weeks and at the 12 week conclusion. 

The chiropractic group received care from one of 12 local chiropractors.  The specific type of care each participant received was determined by the individual chiropractor based on the medical history and exam findings.   The control group continued their regular health care routines or any other treatment they had need of during the study time frame. 

At the conclusion of the study, the chiropractic group had improved significantly as compared to the control group in multiple sensorimotor tasks as well as the physical component of health-related quality of life. 

Differences in the 4 and 12 week assessments revealed a substantial degree of improvement between those evaluations.  This may indicate that longer-term care is needed to have a significant effect on some functions.  

With an improvement in multiple sensorimotor functions, it is possible that the participants would subsequently have a lower falls risk.  How much of an effect as well as exactly how chiropractic impacts these factors is not fully understood.

Because this is an area that has not been studied at length, more research is needed to corroborate these results as well as to determine if these sensorimotor improvements translate into an actual lower occurrence of falls, and to gather longer term data. 

SOURCE: Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, Vol. 39, Number 4; “Effectiveness of Chiropractic Care to Improve Sensorimotor Function Associated With Falls Risk in Older People: A Randomized Controlled Trial”. Full Article Here

Large Intestine Meridian

General Information:  This meridian function is to absorb the end product of digestion and hold the wast materials until they can be eliminated. Approximately 80% of the material entering the large intestines is absorbed since it is mostly the water.  The large intestine Meridian function is very important in the metabolism of water, as it extracts water from waste materials to either re absorb or send on to the bladder.

It is crucial in the elimination of waste materials, as imbalance in the large intestine function many result in physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual toxicity.

Functions:  Absorption of fluids, elimination of solid wastes

Physical Branches:  Nose, skin, body hair, mucus

Emotion:  Grief, Guilt, and Regret

Sound:  Crying and Sighing

Season:  Autumn

Associated Element:  Metal

Color:  Off white

Meridian Type:   Yang

Time of Day:  5 - 7 AM

Muscles Associated with Meridian:  Fascia Lata, Hamstrings, Quadratus Lumborum

How to Trace:  Bilaterally, from the thumb side end of the index finger, up the hand and outside of the back of the arm, across the shoulder to the nose.

Watch the Video Here 

Lung Meridian

General Information:  This meridian performs vital function in TFH. While survival may be difficult without water and food for more than a week or two, we usually cannot live without Aires from more than about three minutes. Each lung is an essential organ that serves the primary function of respiration and the exchange of gases (mainly oxygen and carbon dioxide), operating as the foremost and fundamental source of life energy as well as an important channel of elimination.

The lungs also supply the air flow necessary to speak, sing, and make other vocal sounds, In addition to drawing air (oxygen), the lung meridian function is said to draw in to release Chi, and regulate the status of the Chi in the whole Soul.

Functions:  Accepts pure fluids from spleen, which are then mixed with air, and circulated through the meridians, circulates Wei Qi

Physical Branches:  Nose, skin, body hair, mucus

Emotion:  Grief, Guilt, and Regret

Sound:  Crying and Deep Sighing

Season:  Autumn

Associated Element:  Metal

Color:  Pure white

Meridian Type:  Yin

Time of Day:  3 - 5 AM

Muscles Associated with Meridian:  Anterior Serratus, Coracobrachialis, Deltoids, Diaphragm

How to Trace:  Bilaterally, from the fleshy space below shoulder and above the rib cage, down the inside of the font of the arm to the end of the thumb.

Watch the Video Here 

Liver Meridian

General Information:  This meridian is associated with the liver which has more functions than any other organ. Each cell has more programmed instructions than the most sophisticated computer program, and the liver meridian may activate a large number of the absorption and detoxification instructions. The liver is the largest physical organ and is most active while you sleep. The liver is said to store blood while the body is at rest, and also to exert particular influence over the lower abdomen, and so is considered of central importance in women's menstrual cycle and sexuality.

Liver meridian function is involved in digestion, metabolism, storage, and distribution of nourishment, filtration, detoxification, and immune function.

Functions:  Stores the blood, governs the free flow of qi

Physical Branches:  Eyes, tendons, tears, nails

Emotion:  Anger and Resentment

Sound:   Shouting

Season:  Spring

Associated Element:  Wood

Color:  Deep green

Meridian Type:  Yin

Time of Day:  1 - 3 AM

Muscles Associated with Meridian:  Pectoralis Major Sternal, Rhomboids

How to Trace:  Bilaterally, from the inside (lateral side) of the big toe, up the inside leg to the hip, backward on the hip, up around the waist and forward along the rib cage halfway to sternum.

Watch the  Video Here 

Gallbladder Meridian

General Information:  This meridian is associated with the small organ function of the gallbladder that stores and concentrates the bile from the liver, which aids in digestion, particularly of fats. It constructs and releases bile when fats reach the duodenum from the stomach. On a cellular level this same function of maintaining fat metabolism related to the subtle energy of the Gallbladder Meridian.

Functions:  Stores and excretes bile, one of the Six Extraordinary Organs

Physical Branches:  Eyes, tendons, tears, nails

Emotion:  Anger and Resentment

Sound:  Shouting

Season:  Spring

Associated Element:  Wood

Color:  Yellow green

Meridian Type:  Yang

Time of Day:  11 PM - 1 AM

Muscles Associated with Meridian:  Anterior Deltoid, Popliteus

How to Trace:  Bilaterally, from the outside corner of the eye, back to ear then up and loop forward around the forehead, back behind the ear, up to the frontal eminences, down again behind ear, behind the shoulder, behind arm, done the side of the chest, hip and leg to the end of the 4th toe.

Watch the Video Here

Triple Warmer Meridian

General Information:   This meridian takes the form of three "heats", the heat of metabolism, maintaining body "heat", and the heat of the "fight or flight" or life passions. The function is associated wit various interactions of gland secretions involved in our various human passions. The adrenal glands  function in concert with other hormonal glands, particularly in fighting or running away in a monument of crisis, or recovery from injury, illness, malfunction and generalized stress.

Four of the muscles that are related to this meridian function are muscles involved in running, pushing off, or getting on your toes, all essential fight or flight / passion muscles.  The pituitary gland  works in concert with other endocrine glands that have functions related to the heat of life passion, procreative activity and sexual pleasure, life and death circumstances, cause worth suffering no dying for, etc.

This meridian is a somewhat mysterious one in that it is aid to have organ function in the Chinese energy system, yet it is not associated with a specific organ. It is said to have function, but no form, or it is alternatively defined as having its function through the interactions of three different groups of organs found in the thoracic, upper and lower abdominal areas.

Functions:  Regulates transformation and transportation of bodily fluids.

Physical Branches:  Blood, tongue, throat, sweat, facial complexion

Emotion:  Joy, Love and Hate

Sound:  Laughing

Season: Summer

Associated Element:  Fire

Color:  Orange red

Meridian Type:  Yang

Time of Day:  9 - 11 PM

Muscles Associated with Meridian:  Teres Minor, Sartorius, Gracillis, Soleus, Gastrocnemius

How to Trace:  Bilaterally, from end of ring finger, up back of hand and arm, across shoulder and around back of ear ending at the eyebrow

Watch the Video Here 

Circulation / Sex Meridian

General Information:   This meridian pertains to the many functions that are intimately associated with the hormones and chemical messengers related to all reproduction whether it be appropriate balance in cell production or sexual recreation. It has to do with the nourishment of nes cells and the preparation for cell reproduction. It involves the menstruation cycles, ovarian, and uterine functions and prostate and testicular functions. This include the pleasures of sexual love. It also has to do with passing on genetic, cultural and personals heritage.

The Circulation-Sex Meridian is sometimes called the Pericardium Meridian and related to the muscular function of the heart and blood vessels, that which keeps the beat steady and appropriate for the external and internal environments.

Functions:  Protects the heart

Physical Branches:  blood, tongue, throat, sweat, facial complexion

Emotion:  Joy, Love and Hate

Sound:  Laughing

Season:  Summer

Associated Element:  Fire

Color:  Purple red

Meridian Type:  Yin

Time of Day:  7 - 9 PM

Muscles Associated with Meridian:  Gluteus Medius, Adductors, Piriformis, Gluteus Maximus

How to Trace:  Bilaterally, from the outside nipple down the middle of the inside of the arm to the end of the thumb side of the middle finger

Watch the  Video Here 

Kidney Meridian

General Information:  This is involved in controlling the volume, composition, and pressure of fluids in all the cells as well as the whole Soul and it important in growth, development and reproductive functions. Blood flows through the kidneys at its highest pressure, toxins are filtered out, and nourishing materials are directed to where they are needed.

Water is symbolic of mystery, emotional and spirit. Kidney Meridian Function is involved in the balance of these aspects of life. In Chinese medicine the Kidney is also said to be a storehouse of life force and has a strong spiritual aspect.

Functions:  Stores prenatal essence, filters the blood

Physical Branches:  Ears, bones, urine, head and pubic hair, brain, marrow

Emotion:  Fear and Anxiety

Sound:  Groaning

Season:  Winter

Associated Element:  Water

Color:  Light flame blue

Meridian Type:  Yin

Time of Day:  5 - 7 PM

Muscles Associated with Meridian:  Psoas, Upper Trapezius, Illiacus

How to Trace:  Bilaterally, from the ball of the foot, around the ankle, up the inside of the leg past the inside of the knee, past the edge of the pubic bone, up the abdomen and chest to the inside end of the collarbone.

Watch the Video Here 

Bladder Meridian

General Information:  The function is to store waste liquid before elimination, not only in the urinary bladder but also in all of the cells and throughout the Soul. In the Chinese system, the Bladder is said to be a storehouse of emotions. and so the Bladder Function is involved in the water balance / emotional balance in the whole Soul. Water is eliminated as it reaches excessive volume, or when waste material is highly concentrated.

The urinary bladder is always "full" since the muscles expand or contract as more liquid is received from the kidneys. By drinking more pure water, the bladder is actually strengthened through exercise of the expanding bladder muscles. Water is a potent symbol for emotion and mystery in life. When we are able to accept more of a vast mystery of existence, and allow our emotions to flow, we find our tolerance and flexibility increase.

Functions:  Stores and eliminates urine

Physical Branches:  Autonomous nervous system

Emotion:  Fear and Anxiety

Sound:  Groaning

Season:  Winter

Associated Element:  Water

Color:  Deep blue

Meridian Type:  Yang

Time of Day:  3 - 5 PM

Muscles Associated with Meridian:  Peroneus, Sacrospinalis, Anterior Tibial, Posterior Tibial

How to Trace:  Bilaterally, first channel from the inside corner of the eye, over the head and down the back and out along the crease of the buttocks. Go back to the original line at the shoulder for Second Channel. Go outside of the original line, past the buttocks, down the back of the leg to the end of the little toe.

Watch the Video Here 

Small Intestines

General Information:  It is primarily related to absorption of nutritious substances and the separation of waste material. These same functions take place on the cellular level, and in the Soul as a whole. It is the assimilation of influences and stiff from outside the Soul. The small intestine winds for 23 feet and has three main parts, the Duodenum, the Jejunum, and the Ileum.

Throughout the small intestine, various secretions from other organs are added to the liquefied food, which aid in the absorption of nutrients. Bacteria make up a large amount of the contents of the small intestine, also acting upon the materials that enter so that they can be absorbed.

Functions:  Absorbs nutrients, digestion and elimination

Physical Branches:  Blood, tongue, throat, sweat, facial complexion

Emotion:   Joy, Love and Hate

Sound:  Laughing

Season:  Summer

Associated Element:   Fire

Color:  Pink

Meridian Type:  Yang

Time of Day:  1 - 3 PM

Muscles Associated with Meridian:  Quadriceps, Abdominals

How to Trace:  Bilaterally, from outside end of little finger up outside of arm halfway down shoulder blades, up to neck, across cheek towards nose and end in front of ear

Watch the Video Here