May 2026 Healthy News from Layden Chiropractic: Stay Upright: New Science on Falls and Chiropractic
STRONG SPINE, STEADY STEPS — CHIROPRACTIC CARE AND FALL PREVENTION
The science is clear: falls are largely preventable, and chiropractic care is emerging as one of the most promising tools to help keep you safe. New research shows that muscle loss (sarcopenia) and poor physical performance are noteworthy predictors of falls in older adults, especially those carrying excess weight — a reminder that what's happening inside your body matters as much as what you feel outside. (1) The good news? Chiropractic care appears to be part of the answer. A large real-world study drawing on over 116 million patient records found that older adults with spinal pain who underwent chiropractic spinal manipulation had a meaningfully lower fall rate over 13 months compared to matched patients who did not — 3.8% versus 5.4%. (2) A systematic review from Harvard's Osher Center also reports that multiple fall risk factors fall squarely within the scope of chiropractic care, making your regular treatments more than just pain relief — they may be assisting in keeping you steady on your feet. (3) Ready to talk about your (and/or a loved one’s) fall risk? So are we here at Layden Chiropractic!
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Nate McKee on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he shares his the treatment of a common condition affecting older spines known as spinal stenosis and how using The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management helps with pain and function.
CHIROPRACTIC TIP OF THE MONTH: Good Balance Isn't Luck — It's Practice
Recent research gives us powerful reasons to take balance seriously — and the good news is you can start assessing your own risk today using the same tests doctors rely on in the clinic. Here's how it works: rise from a chair, walk 10 feet, turn around, and return to sitting — that's it. Taking longer than 12 seconds is a clinically known signal worth discussing with your chiropractor at Layden Chiropractic. A 2022 pilot study found that chiropractic Cox® flexion-distraction care for lumbar spinal stenosis improved scores on just this same kind of functional tests — Timed Up and Go and Five Times Sit to Stand — alongside measurable gains in balance. (4) Ready to take it a step further? Try standing on one foot — first with eyes open, then eyes closed — and see how long you can hold it. Most healthy adults can manage it; struggling is a sign your balance system needs attention. A 2026 meta-analysis of 14 clinical trials confirmed that targeted balance training — the kind that tests your body's sensory systems the way these tests do — significantly lowered fall risk and bolstered stability scores in older adults. (5) Balance, like strength, responds to training. The first step is identifying where you stand…literally! Let’s see how you are doing at your next chiropractic visit!
May your May be full of steady steps, strong balance, and a bit of self-care — we'd love to see you soon!