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Fall Prevention Strategies for People With Parkinson’s

Have you or someone you love seemed less steady walking? Were you or someone you love diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and wonder what you can do to help slow the progression? At Total Care Physical Therapy in Hillsborough, NJ, our team of neurological physical therapists will address your concerns and help you function at your highest potential!

Falls are one of the most common causes of injury among people with Parkinson’s Disease. Studies have shown that over 65% of people with Parkinson’s will fall each year, and up to 85% will fall repeatedly.

Falls are a significant cause of disability, loss of independence, and reduced quality of life in people with Parkinson’s Disease. Unfortunately, most people don’t think they can do anything to work on their balance until it is too late, and they suffer a fall. The good news is that the help of our highly trained neurological physical therapist can prevent a lot of falls.

With guidance from our team at Total Care Physical Therapy in Hillsborough, NJ, we will give you the tools to recover from a recent fall or avoid additional injuries in the future. 

If you or someone you love is dealing with the consequences of falls, like a restriction of activities of daily living, an increased fear of falling, or a fall-related injury, call today and set up an appointment with one of our specialists!

What are some leading causes of falls related to Parkinson’s Disease?

Parkinson’s Disease is a progressive neurological disorder caused by the death and loss of dopaminergic neurons in the brain. The most common symptoms are tremors at rest that are reduced with voluntary movement, rigidity, slow movements (bradykinesia), decreased or lack of movement (hypokinesia), and eventually, the loss of voluntary movement (akinesia).

As people become more restricted and unable to move, their risk of falling increases significantly. Fortunately, research has shown that people with neurological disorders like Parkinson’s who exercise regularly experience less stiffness and a reduction in and even reversal of dysfunction.

Research also has shown that exercise can improve gait, balance, tremors, flexibility, grip strength, and motor coordination in patients with Parkinson’s Disease. This, in turn, leads to improvements in functional capacity, balance, and self-reported measures like fatigue, mood, and overall quality of life.

Despite the evidence, there are still barriers to physical activity that contribute to poor balance and increased risk of falling. Some of these limitations include the following:

  • Motor learning loss
  • Disease severity/progression
  • Pre-existing and/or co-morbidities (Alzheimer’s, cardiovascular disease, age, etc.)
  • Lack of motivation and changes in mood
  • Cognitive and learning dysfunction/ability

Additional risk factors can also affect balance and coordination, resulting in an increased risk of falling. These include:

  • A previous history of falling
  • Certain medications
  • Drinking alcohol
  • Inactivity and/or poor nutrition
  • Improper clothing/shoes
  • Environmental factors in the home (i.e., stairs, rugs, curbs, etc.)

No matter what your obstacles and limitations may be, our team of neurological physical therapists can help. We will identify your risks and provide you or your loved one with the proper guidance for improved balance, coordination, gait, and overall function!

What to expect at my neurological physical therapy sessions

A comprehensive assessment is the most effective way to determine your risk of falling. A clinical examination by our physical therapists can determine what factors may or may not contribute to your fall risks.

Our initial physical evaluation at Total Care Physical Therapy in Hillsborough, NJ may consist of a multifactorial/risk abatement approach, including the following:

  • A review of falls history and circumstances
  • An examination of gait, balance, mobility, and muscle weakness
  • An assessment of perceived functional ability and fear of falling
  • A home hazards/environment assessment
  • A medication review

We will use this information to design a therapeutic plan to reduce your risk of falling and also to help you improve balance, strength, flexibility, endurance, and overall movement.

Our team will apply the concepts of neuroplasticity and motor learning programming to achieve earlier and greater movement gains. This has been sown to improve the interaction and coordination between neurological and musculoskeletal changes and improvements in function. There will be an emphasis on repetition, task-specificity, and feedback to induce an external focus of attention.

At Total Care Physical Therapy, we understand the best way to achieve these benefits is to exercise consistently. Evidence has shown that people with Parkinson’s that participate in exercise programs for longer than six months, regardless of exercise intensity, have significant gains in functional balance and mobility.

Our team will help give you the tools to improve and maintain your improvements through proven strategies and methods. We are dedicated to helping you function at your highest potential for as long as possible!

Request an appointment at Total Care Physical Therapy today!

Are you worried you may be at risk of sustaining a fall-related injury? Contact Total Care Physical Therapy today so our team of neurological physical therapists can help you figure out the plan to get you moving and feeling your best!

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