As we age, it is common for balance issues to develop, with falls affecting more than one out of four individuals 65 and older every year. However, over half of those who fall do not reach out to their doctors, resulting in further falls and injuries.
It doesn’t have to be this way. At Aligned Orthopedic & Sports Therapy, we have an effective balance and fall prevention program to help individuals regain strength and independence.
Balance and fall prevention programs identify and address factors in an individual’s life that can put them at higher risk for falls. These factors can include muscle weakness, pain, poor vision, unsupportive footwear, a crowded home environment, decreased endurance, medication side effects and vitamin deficiencies, among many other factors.
These programs often consist of a training program with therapeutic and balance-specific exercises, home safety assessments, and patient education for correct footwear or assistive devices.
Physical therapists will screen for your risk factors before developing a personalized treatment plan. From there, they will walk you through a series of exercises to help you regain balance and strength in your legs and abdominal muscles. Your therapists may also provide education on proper footwear and home safety hazards such as throw rugs or multiple stairs. In addition, your therapists will provide balance exercises in various conditions. These exercises will be adapted based on where your therapists assess you have difficulty, but could include standing with both feet together, on one leg, on an uneven surface or with your eyes closed.
Even if you have not fallen in the past, taking these preventive measures can help you minimize your risk factors and create strategies to prevent injuries before they occur.
Balance and fall prevention programs are tuned to fit your personal needs and can provide the following benefits:
If you live in the mid-Atlantic region, consider Aligned Orthopedic & Sports Therapy for a balance and fall prevention program. Our therapists are highly qualified for one-on-one patient care, planning and treatments. Our experience in the outpatient orthopedic physical therapy industry has prepared us to provide training and resources to anyone who walks through our doors.
