Is it safe for elderly patients to get chiropractic adjustments?

San Francisco Chiropractor Comments:

Chiropractor for seniors san francisco
One of the more common concerns that elderly patients have about chiropractic care is…Is it safe?

As we know…it's not like we get bigger and stronger as we age…although, regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle (and chiropractic care) will help preserve us and slow down the effects of aging.

In any case…most elderly patients are concerned that chiropractic adjustments could harm them, because of the force involved, or the twisting and "cracking". Heck…I would be concerned too.

But here's the deal. It's not only elderly patients that may require special care…it's every patient. What about children? Does a chiropractor do the same adjustments on them as an adult? What about a patient with whiplash? What about someone that is very sensitive to the touch and has a low pain threshold?

Chiropractic is a philosophy, science, and an art.

The philosophy is based on the premise that nature is perfect and cannot be improved upon. The science is the understanding of the relationship between the nervous system, the spine, and health. When the spine is in alignment nature is able to express itself and control and coordinate all body functions as intended. This is when the body is in a state of balance, harmony, or homeostasis. Or as chiropractors like to say…a state of ease.

When the spine is out of alignment (Vertebral Subluxation) it interferes with this process and creates imbalances which can lead to sickness and dis-ease. The art of chiropractic is locating, identifying, and correcting subluxations so that the body can heal itself and restore health and function. 

This can be done in hundreds of different ways. As long as the objective and outcome is the correction of subluxations than it is considered chiropractic (in my opinion). 

There are chiropractic techniques that are so gentle that you barely feel anything…but they still do the job. There are chiropractic adjusting techniques that require a lot of force…but are still very safe. And everything in between.

Knowing what chiropractic technique, and what level of force, and what complimentary therapies to use with each patient…especially the elderly patient, is the art of chiropractic.

At Executive Express Chiropractic in San Francisco we incorporate many chiropractic techniques and therapies into our treatment approach. We use very gentle techniques…and we use more aggressive techniques when indicated. We also incorporate deep tissue laser therapy, Graston Technique, and Active Release Technique (ART) into are protocols for the elderly…as well as non-surgical spinal decompression…which is very safe and gentle (but not for everyone).

So I guess the moral of the story is that chiropractic is safe and effective and makes sense for the elderly patient. But chances are…it wont be the same treatment we do for the 20 year old grandson. There is a chiropractic technique, and level of treatment and intensity for everyone…and applying it is an art…the art of chiropractic.

Dr. Eben Davis is clinic director and founder of Executive Express Chiropractic in San Francisco.

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Eben Davis


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2 thoughts on “Is it safe for elderly patients to get chiropractic adjustments?

  1. seattle chiropractor

    As long as rumors about the safety of chiropractic exist, we must work to educate the general public. The Foundation for Chiropractic Progress is doing a great job with campaigns by Jerry Rice and others. Every doctor DC needs to post articles proving efficacy of chiropractic and the fallacy of the stroke connection onto their website and work to educate the public, one patient at a time. In time, the public will come to know that chiropractic is the safest and most effective health care system available.

  2. seattle chiropractic

    Records form insurance and court cases have constantly shown that
    chiropractic is the safest portal of entry health care available to the
    stands on its record of safety and effectiveness unmatched in


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