Demographics
A recent study has analyzed the occurrence of falls in the population. The study found that there was an increased risk of falls in: women compared to men and those who are fearful of falling (Lim, 2019). Similarly, there is an increase in occurrence of falls with an increase in age as well as the prevalence of comorbidities such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and more (Lim, 2019).
How Can PT Help?
At physical therapy, we will assess a multitude of factors that can affect fall risk. These include:
- Range of motion assessment to examine for restricted motion
- Strength assessment to assess for weakness in the musculature
- Balance assessment to assess sensory information processing on different surfaces
- Proprioception assessment to assess brain to muscle connection
- Gait analysis to assess fluidity and stability of your body in motion
- Functional assessment to assess ability to perform tasks such as lifting and carrying
What Will I Do?
Upon completion of the assessment, we will tailor a program to suit any specific deficit we find. This will include a variety of strengthening exercises and balance exercises to promote and maximize stability. We will incorporate these exercises into functional movements that you perform in your everyday life (going from sitting to standing, reaching, etc…). One movement we will also teach is how to get back up safely from the floor if you were to fall. We will do everything we can to assist you in stability, but we want to make sure that you know how to safely get back up on the instance you do fall.
How Do I Start?
If you have experienced a fall in the past or have a fear of falling, contact the Respire PT Team today by phone at 703-671-1871 or click here to request an appointment with a Physical Therapist. Let us help you get back to your favorite activities safely and with confidence.
References
- Lim K, Lee J, Park H, Park S, Choi WJ. Understanding and Prevention of Fall-related Injuries in Older Adults in South Korea: A Systematic Review. Physical Therapy Korea 2019;26:34-48. https://doi.org/10.12674/ptk.2019.26.2.034
Tags: choosept, arlingtonva, alexandriava, fallschurchva, ptworks, health blog, Physical Therapy, balance training, Respire Physical Therapy, prevent falls, physical therapist, pt education, Fall Risk
