Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation & Fall Risk in Older Adults with Spinal Pain

Around the globe, our aging population is growing. Falls are a major concern for this population, can lead to adverse outcomes (including fractures and hospitalizations), and are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries in adults aged 65 and older.

Chiropractors commonly use spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) to manage spinal pain in older individuals. There is some evidence suggesting that SMT can improve mobility and measures of balance, however, there is limited research on the impact of SMT on patients’ likelihood of falling.

Data collected in the USA in 2018 showed that 27.5% of older adults reported at least one fall in the preceding year. Pain has been identified as an independent risk factor for falls in older individuals and spinal pain disorders could predispose these individuals to falls due to impairments in balance, gait, and sensorimotor function. Studies have shown improvements in markers of sensorimotor function and multisensory integration in older adults after SMT. In addition, SMT can help alleviate neck pain and low back pain and may help alleviate cervicogenic dizziness. However, the evidence linking SMT to a reduction in falls is limited.

This study aimed to investigate whether older adults (aged 65 and up) with spinal pain receiving SMT had a reduction in fall risk over a 13-month follow-up when compared to matched controls who did not receive SMT.

This week’s Research Review: “Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation & Fall Risk in Older Adults with Spinal Pain”

This paper was published in Cureus (2024)

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