Preserving Mobility Is Key For Longevity

by Dr. Brett L. Lukert, DC

Did you know that life expectancy in 1900 was only 44? Currently the life expectancy is 78, and by 2050, it’s projected to be in the 90s, with an estimated 800,000 people living to 100 or older.

This is great news, right? Well, it is as long as we aren’t worn out by age 60, which is what happens when we abuse our bodies, neglect our health and don’t take care of ourselves.

I think it’s safe to say, at 60 years old we would all like to be active, healthy and enjoying our kids and grandkids, not to mention living life to the fullest. In order for this to happen, we have to be proactive with our health and not wait until we have symptoms to do something about it.

Being proactive means doing what it takes to preserve our mobility. We are familiar with many “anti-aging” factors that affect our health, such as regular exercise, healthy nutrition and weight control. What people may not be as familiar with is how regular chiropractic care also helps maintain our mobility and helps us “stay young.”

Chiropractic works because it corrects vertebral misalignments in our spine that create pressure on spinal nerves. This is what causes pain. More importantly, chiropractic also restores normal MOBILITY to the joints. By keeping our mobility, we slow down the degenerative process. It’s no secret that mobile joints last longer than immobile, dysfunctional ones.

If we do nothing to maintain our mobility as we age and just let nature run its course, it’s estimated that by age 50, we will have lost 50 percent of the mobility we had when we were 23. By age 60, we will have lost 75 percent of the mobility we had at 23.

If we are going to live to 100 and we are in constant pain by age 60, that doesn’t sound like a very enjoyable last 40 years. The good news is that if we are proactive in our health and make it a priority to maintain our mobility as we age, it’s estimated that by age 80, it’s possible to maintain up to 75 percent of the mobility we had at 23.

When you think of all of our daily activities that create physical stress—bending, lifting, carrying and twisting—you can see why regular structural “tune-ups” to restore joint mobility are important. This is how chiropractic contributes to keeping us young. There are many factors that help maintain mobility, and by making them a priority we can make huge strides to be healthy, live healthy and stay healthy!