I was in Dublin on Wednesday and Thursday for my annual planning, which gave me the chance to catch up with some old friends, including a few physios and chiropractors. Always good to reflect, share ideas and set intentions for the year ahead and of course, Dublin at Christmas is a pretty special place to be.
Back home, it’s been full Christmas swing the kids have been non stop with singing, dancing and all the prep that comes with school plays. Florie has been working hard on her part (with some serious dedication) and Kit is a shepherd in the Nativity, so we’ve been running through his lines to make sure he’s got it down. All very sweet… and slightly chaotic!
We had a lovely chilled weekend and I got to spend some quality time with all three kids, which is always a bit of a juggle but really special in the run up to the big day.
Now we’re properly on the wind ‘up’ into Christmas and I just wanted to remind you that the clinic is open right up until Christmas Eve at 4pm. So if you need a bit of help before the holidays whether it’s a last minute adjustment, some pre Christmas tension relief or just a check in, we’d love to see you!
After a well earned break, we’ll be back in on the 29th, ready to help you move into the new year feeling your best.
Wishing you a restful, joy filled week ahead. Enjoy the mince pies, the carols and the mayhem! We’ll see you soon.
Most people think menopause (for women) and andropause (for men) are all about hormones, mood swings, hot flashes, and the sudden desire to sleep with a fan on even in winter. But here’s the huge piece missing from the conversation:
Your bones, joints and spine change dramatically during this stage of life and chiropractic care can play a powerful role in supporting you through it. Whether you’re a woman navigating menopause or a man noticing those “midlife body shifts,” your musculoskeletal system is going through real, measurable changes!
1. What Happens to the Spine During Menopause?
When oestrogen levels drop, your bones lose their protective shield. This leads to:
- Faster bone density loss (osteopenia → osteoporosis).
- Reduced disc hydration → stiffer spine.
- Increased inflammation → more aches.
- Greater chance of posture changes.
This is why so many women suddenly feel:
- Lower back pain
- Hip stiffness
- Neck tension
- More “cracking” joints
- Loss of height
- Chiropractic care helps by improving joint mobility, reducing muscle tension and supporting proper alignment, all crucial during bone density changes.
2. Men Go Through Hormone Changes Too (This is Andropause!)
- Men experience a gradual decline in testosterone and yes, this affects the spine and bones.
- Testosterone drop affects:
- Bone density
- Muscle mass
- Core strength
- Fat distribution (more belly weight = more spinal load)
- Recovery speed
This is why men in their 40’s-60’s experience:
- More back pain
- Less flexibility
- More stiffness in the morning
- Reduced strength for lifting
- Frequent neck strain
- Chiropractic helps improve biomechanics, reduce pressure on the spine and keep joints moving well especially as muscle mass slowly declines.
3. Why Both Men & Women Lose Bone Strength and How a healthy lifestyle fits in.
Between ages 45 to 65, both genders can experience:
✔ Loss of bone density
✔ Decline in disc hydration
✔ Slower tissue healing
✔ Increased joint inflammation
✔ Greater risk of imbalance and falls
Chiropractic care supports spinal mobility, posture control and balance key factors in reducing stress on weakened bones.
4. The Real Magic? Chiropractic Helps With the “Hidden” Menopause/Andropause Symptoms
a) Posture Changes : Hormonal shifts weaken the muscles supporting the spine → leading to slouching. Chiropractic and mobility exercises help maintain upright posture. You know I talk about a wall angel a lot, this is a great movement to prevent postural flexion and that dreaded dowagers hump.
b) Sleep Issues : Adjustments may help improve sleep by relaxing the nervous system and reducing pain (which often keeps midlife adults awake).
c) Mood & Stress : Spinal adjustments stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which improves relaxation and reduces cortisol, a big win during hormone chaos.
d) Joint Pain & Stiffness : Chiropractic improves range of motion and reduces inflammation in joints commonly affected during menopause/andropause.
5. What Midlife Adults Should Focus On
Women (Menopause):
- Weight training for bone density
- Adequate calcium & vitamin D (good quality supplements purebio.co.uk)
- Stretching for hips & lower back
- Chiropractic care to reduce joint loading
- Balance training to reduce fall risk
Men (Andropause):
- Strength training to maintain muscle
- Core stability work (see video below)
- Chiropractic adjustments to counteract stiffness
- Mobility work for hips & thoracic spine
- Weight management to reduce spinal strain
Final Thoughts
Menopause and andropause are not just hormonal journeys, they are structural journeys too. Your bones, joints, muscles and spine are changing but with the right support, you can stay strong, flexible, mobile and pain free. Chiropractic care is one of the best holistic tools to help your body adapt to these changes gracefully. best holistic tools to help your body adapt to these changes gracefully!
References
- Greendale, G. et al. (2019). Menopause and bone health: changes in bone strength and spinal integrity. Journal of Bone & Mineral Research.
- Weaver, C. et al. (2022). Hormonal changes and bone loss during menopause: a systematic review. Osteoporosis International.
- Travison, T. et al. (2018). Testosterone decline and musculoskeletal health in aging men. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
- Howe, T. et al. (2020). Exercise interventions and bone density in midlife adults. Cochrane Review.
- Al Zoubi, F. et al. (2021). Chiropractic care for musculoskeletal pain in midlife adults: outcomes and safety. Chiropractic & Manual Therapies.
- ClinicalTrials.gov (2019–2024). Registered trials on chiropractic care and spine mobility in aging adults.
If you are wanting to chat more about the information above then why not book a call with me and we can go into more detail? Click here to book or if you want to get an assessment then Book a consultation with a Chiropractor here
If you do know someone who wants more advice, please send them our details. You can send them this assessment as well to diagnose their back pain. It is a great tool to understand where your back pain is coming from, it is free and takes 60 seconds. Click here for assessment
