According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control) more than 30% of adults 65 and older fall each year in the United States, and 20% to 30% of people who fall suffer moderate to severe injuries. Falls are the leading cause of injury among older adults, leading to head trauma, lacerations, hip fractures, hospitalization and surgeries.
Age-related changes such as muscle weakness, decreased coordination, joint stiffness and poor vision can impair the systems involved in maintaining balance and stability, resulting in falls. Physical therapy can help in risk reduction and prevention of falls.
How Physical Therapy Can Help with Balance and Fall Prevention?
Global Physical Therapy offers years of geriatric experience. Our therapists will create a personalized plan of care after assessing the individual’s balance, mobility, coordination and strength.
The fall prevention program will include balance training exercises that will help the body practice its “righting reflex” and improve the body’s reaction time to perturbations, decreasing the risk of falls. Stretching and strengthening exercises will also be incorporated to prepare the body’s response to a loss of balance. We will also assess your need to use an assistive device and assess the safety of the equipment you already use. We will also incorporate postural training to improve the overall alignment of your spine and extremities to facilitate your ability to balance and prevent falls.