The survey, reported in the publication’s May 2009 issue, found that more than half of the respondents had “pain (that) severely limited their daily routine for a week or longer, and 88 percent said it recurred throughout the year.” The report stated that while many go to a primary care physician first for diagnosis and treatment, the majority were disappointed with the results.

On the other hand, 59 percent reported that they were “highly satisfied” with the care they received from chiropractors. The next highest rated practitioners were physical therapists (55 percent) and acupuncturists (53 percent), followed by “specialized” physicians (44 percent) and primary care physicians (34 percent).

Respondents were also asked to rate the types of treatments they received. Again, chiropractic/spinal manipulation got top honors, with 58 percent rating it as “helping a lot.” Spinal injections were next highest, rated at 51 percent, followed by massage (48 percent) and physical therapy (46 percent). Other highly rated treatments included prescription medications (45 percent), yoga (44 percent), movement therapy and acupuncture (both 41 percent).

According to a Dynamic Chiropractic article on that report, “Chiropractic ranked first out of 11 treatments, including massage, acupuncture, and exercise, in its ability to treat back pain. More readers said that chiropractic ‘helped me feel much better’ than any of the other therapies.” Prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs ranked eighth and 10th, respectively.

So, if you’ve been “highly satisfied” with your chiropractic care, you’re not alone! In fact, more and more people are turning to chiropractic treatment not only for back pain relief, but for a wide variety of painful conditions from sports and repetitive stress injuries to arthritis.

A public version of the report can be found on the Consumer Reports Web site

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Approximately 9 percent of adults, age 65 and older, disclose having problems with balance. Good balance is essential in helping an older person to stay independent, and perform daily chores and activities. Many older people, however, suffer from dizziness, “wooziness,” and problems with balance.

The term, vertigo, refers to the experience that a number of people have that they, themselves, or their environment is spinning. About 40 percent of people nationwide will encounter dizziness that is serious enough to go seek out a health professional. And, among older adults, falls are the most widespread cause of serious injury and deaths.

Balance and Inner Ear Challenges

Three types of balance disorders that are most familiar are benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, labyrinthitis, and Meniere’s disease, although there are a variety of other kinds of balance disorders. Of these three, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is the most common. It occurs as a brief, intense experience of vertigo when a person changes head position. It can also be experienced when rolling over to the left or right in bed, upon getting out of bed in the morning, or when looking up for an object on a high shelf. This problem is more likely to occur in adults 60 and older, however it can also take place in younger individuals.

There are an assortment of reasons for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Inner ear infection, head injury, or simply aging can produce the problem. While it can be associated with other disease processes, frequently a simple Epleys procedure can correct the problem. Your Chiropractor has many years of experience in this procedure.

Labyrinthitis is an infection or iagitation of the inner ear that produces dizziness and loss of balance. It affects adults of any age and the cause is currently undiscovered.

Ménière’s disease is a balance disorder that produces vertigo, hearing loss that comes and goes, tinnitus (ringing or roaring in the ears), and a “full feeling” in the ear.

Age is not the only reason these afflictions take place, but older persons are more likely to encounter balance disorders. Therapy for balance disorders varies based upon the reason. A chiropractor is well-educated in assessing and treating many of the causes. On occasion, even simple exercises for vestibular rehab can be the solution to balance challenges. Consult a health care professional, such as your Chiropractor, if you have experienced, or are currently experiencing, dizziness, vertigo, or other challenges with balance.

Although some balance disorders are produced by problems in the inner ear, other disorders may involve another area of the body, such as the brain or the heart. Other influences, in addition to aging and ear infection, may involve head injury, certain medicines, interferences with blood circulation, upper respiratory infections, viral infections, stress, fatigue, smoking, alcohol use, stroke, high or low blood pressure, and heart disease.

Balance disorders created by high blood pressure can normally be managed by less sodium intake,sustaining a healthy weight, and exercise. To aid in making the symptoms of dizziness less severe, frequently eating low-salt or salt-free foods, and staying away from caffeine and alcohol, will help.

Balance disorders are dangerous. It is the most prevalent cause of falls and fall-related injuries in older people. It is extremely important to have a suspected balance disorder analysed and treated as soon as possible.

If you can answer “yes” to any of the questions listed below, you should discuss the symptom(s) with your chiropractor:

• Do you have the feeling of being “unsteady?”

• Does the room seem to spin around you?

• Is there ever a time when you feel as if you are moving when you know you are standing still?

• Do you lose your balance and/or fall?

• Do you feel as if you are falling?

• Does your vision ever become “blurred?”

• Do you ever feel disoriented, or lose a sense of time, place or identify?

Don’t wait until it’s too late! Call your chiropractor today.

Technorati Tags: balance, chiropractic, chiropractor, dizziness, falls, vertigo