Reactive balance is the ability to recover your balance quickly when something unexpected happens, like tripping, slipping, or losing your footing. It’s different from planned movements because reactive balance requires you to respond fast and automatically to keep from falling. Your brain, muscles, and senses work together to help you regain stability in these sudden
When healthy, it’s easy to take our ability to walk without difficulty for granted. We may be able to walk several hours without issue. However, as our habits change and as we age, we may notice greater difficulties with walking even shorter distances. People can develop difficulty with walking due to a number of reasons,
Ensuring a safe environment at home is crucial, especially for those seeking to prevent falls. In this blog post, we’ll explore five practical ways to minimize fall risk and promote a secure living space. Clear Pathways: One of the simplest yet most effective measures is to declutter living spaces. Remove any obstacles or items that
Biomechanical factors can significantly impede a person’s ability to navigate stairs. Musculoskeletal issues such as joint stiffness, reduced range of motion, or muscle weakness can make it difficult to lift the legs and generate sufficient force to climb stairs. Balance deficits, whether due to vestibular dysfunction or proprioceptive impairment, increase the risk of falls during
Many people heavily focus on strength training and/or cardio exercise to improve their fitness and overall sport performance. These are both key components that can help performance, but there is one other type of training that has been shown to be beneficial in prevention of ankle injuries. Studies evaluating ankle injuries in soccer players have
Physical therapists play a vital role in helping individuals regain or improve their ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) by focusing on functional training. With their specialized knowledge and skills, physical therapists are uniquely qualified to design and implement interventions that enhance an individual’s tolerance and proficiency in ADLs. In this blog post,
Gait disorders are a common problem among people of all ages. They can be caused by various conditions, including neurological disorders, muscle weakness, joint pain, or injury. Gait disorders can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life, as they can limit their ability to move around and perform everyday tasks. Physical therapy
Falls happen to millions of people across the United States each year. In fact, more than one out of four people over 65 years old fall each year and less than half report this to their doctor. Experiencing a fall doubles the chance that you will fall again. Understanding this risk and taking the proper
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
