At my Cincinnati Chiropractic Clinic I treat plenty of older adults who are affected by balance problems. In fact, 9% of adults, aged 65 and over, experience dizziness, “wooziness,” and other balance-related problems. Good balance is extremely important, of course, in aiding elders to stay independent and to avoid falling down and encounter injuries that are frequently very serious or even fatal. But, would you be surprised to hear that falls produce a large percentage of work injuries for adults under 65 years of age, including those in their twenties and thirties? That’s right! Balance challenges can take place at any age. In fact, those who work in “high places” like construction workers, roofers, oil platform employees, windows cleaners, or any other place where a ladder is necessary are far more likely to sustain serious injury if their balance isn’t good.
The most important activity of good balance is to assist us in managing and maintaining our body position, whether we are standing still or moving, and whether we are on the ground or high up on a platform. Good balance aids us in walking without stumbling, arising from a sitting position without swaying, and in climbing stairs without tripping. It is obvious, then, that good balance is essential to our health and well-being.
What is often surprising to some people is that they could have a balance dysfunction without being aware of how significant it is. Sometimes someone may be able to “shake off” a dizzy sensation and the sensation may not reoccur for a while. But, when sudden dizziness happens at a consequential moment, it is too late to shake it off and a fall is most likely inevitable.
When you have the feeling that you, yourself, are spinning or that objects around you are moving, it is termed “vertigo.” About 40 percent of people in the U.S. will have at least one episode of dizziness that is distressing enough to seek out help from a health professional, like your Chiropractor in Cincinnati. But, if you work at any of the jobs listed above, it is an extremely good idea for you to have a chiropractor check your balance prior to an unexpected episode of dizziness, rather than as a response to such an episode. Why? Because as a chiropractor, I can not only check your balance, and make adjustments if needed, but can assist you in maintaining good balance in the future. And, it may go without saying that having good balance may save you from serious injury or worse.
Balance disorders are dangerous at any age. If you feel as if you may have a possible balance disorder, it is extremely important for you to be evaluated and treated without delay. In fact, if you can answer “yes” to any of the following questions, even if the experience is seldom or infrequent, it is highly recommended that you discuss the symptom(s) with a chiropractor as soon as possible:
• Have you experienced a feeling of being “unsteady?”
• Has the room seemed to spin around you?
• Has there ever a time when you felt as if you were moving when you knew you were standing still?
• Have you lost your balance and/or fallen down?
• Have you ever felt as if you were falling?
• Has your vision ever become “blurred?”
• Have you ever felt disoriented, or lost a sense of time, place or identity?
Remember: Balance problems are not specific to a particular age group. From the time we learn to walk until we take our final step, our falling down is possible. If you work in a job that makes your falling down a “critical” event, you need to have your balance checked. Don’t wait until it’s too late! Call a Chiropractor today, and if you’re in the Cincinnati area, I’d love to be your Cincinnati Chiropractor!