Are You Feeling Unsteady? A Fall Prevention Program Could Help You!
Have you ever felt unsteady when you walk and feel as if you might fall? Have you ever tripped and had to catch yourself on a nearby railing or piece of furniture? Are you concerned that a fall could result in an injury?
Unfortunately, most people do not think about keeping their balance until it is too late and they have had a major fall. The good news is that most falls can be prevented by regularly exercising your balance system.
If you are worried that you are at a risk for falling, contact Achieve Physical Therapy in Acton, Bedford, Hudson or Sudbury, MA today to learn more about fall prevention techniques.
What Increases Your Risk Of Falling?
Some people have a higher risk of falling than others. Certain risk factors include:
- Fatigue
- Vertigo or dizziness
- Being female
- Parkinson’s disease
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Previous history of falls
- Living a sedentary life
- Overall poor health
- Heart disease
- Advanced age
- Problems with vision
- Problems with walking or staying balanced
- Diabetes
- Previous stroke or heart attack
- Arthritis or alternative joint pain
Our physical therapist in Acton, Bedford, Hudson or Sudbury, MA will review your medical history to assess any risk factors you may have and then explain what these factors mean and how you can lower your risk. Following that, they will conduct a thorough physical examination to determine the best treatment plan for you.
What Does A Fall Prevention Program Offer?
Your initial physical examination at Achieve Physical Therapy may include vision exams, resting, and active heart rate checks, gait, balance, range of motion, and strength exams. Based on the results of these exams, our physical therapist will build you a unique treatment plan based on the findings of this exam.
Some common forms of physical therapy fall prevention treatment include:
Balance training
This part of your treatment plan may require you to perform specific balance-based exercises, such as standing on one leg or maintaining your balance while performing an intellectually demanding task (such as reciting the alphabet or reading a page from a book.)
Pain management
Your treatment plan will address any pain you are experiencing as soon as possible.
Walking and moving programs
This section of your treatment plan focuses on restoring your normal physical function when walking and/or moving. You might be asked to do things like walk in a circle or complete an obstacle course by our physical therapist.
Endurance training
Our physical therapist will design an aerobic training program for you, gradually increasing the length of your sessions as your stamina improves.
Strength training
Our physical therapist will create a strength training program for you that will target particular muscle groups that require strengthening. This will help you improve your balance when standing and walking, as well as your ability to recover from a fall.
Are You Ready To Find Stability Again?
Fight the fall and get back up on your feet. If you are ready to improve your balance and lower your risk of a fall-related injury, contact Achieve Physical Therapy to request an appointment and get started today!