September 2008

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Balance and Physical Therapy

by Nikki Arnold, MPT

Research has shown that around 30% of people over the age of 65 and 50% of people over the age of 80 will fall this year.  Forty percent of all people that fall one time will sustain another fall within 12 months.  Falls can lead to serious injuries and loss of independence. 

There can be many reasons that falls occur and a comprehensive assessment needs to be performed by the physical therapist to determine the proper course of treatment.  As we get older, vision, coordination, muscle strength, and balance reflexes change, putting us at greater risk for falls.

Physical therapy has been shown to decrease fear of falls, prevent future falls, and improve balance.  A balance and falls prevention program is just one of the services offered at Mountain River Physical Therapy. 

Treatments are individually designed for each patient.  Since most falls happen at home, educating patients on home safety is one aspect of physical therapy.  Other interventions include muscle strengthening and coordination training.  Improvements in these areas will lead to greater independence in home and community activities.

No fall should be taken lightly, and inactivity can be more detrimental.  Early physical therapy intervention following a fall will decrease your risk for another fall.  Even if you have not experienced a fall and are beginning to notice balance problems, physical therapy will assist in preventing falls.

Take the Balance Self Test
1. Have you fallen in the past year? 2. Are you on medicine for heart disease or high blood pressure? 3. Do you feel dizzy or unsteady on your feet? 4. Do you have difficulty putting on your pants? 5. Do you have difficulty walking in the dark? 6. Have you ever had a stroke or other neurological problem that affected your balance?	7. Do you experience numbness in your feet or legs? 8. Do you use a walker, cane, wheelchair, or need assistance to get around? 9. Are you inactive, meaning no regular exercise of 20-30 minutes, 3-4 times a week? 10. Do you have difficulty going from sit to stand from a low surface?

 

 

If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, you might have a balance problem.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact us.  We are happy to answer any question you may have.