Every year, one-third of the population over the age of 65 falls. Every 11 seconds, an elderly person is rushed to the hospital due to a fall. Every 19 minutes, an elderly person dies as a result of a fall. Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries in the elderly and physical therapy program can help.
Falling is a serious risk, especially as older adults’ strength, flexibility, and balance begin to deteriorate. While these statistics may appear frightening, we can help you improve your mobility and gait, lowering your risk of falling significantly.
If you frequently notice an imbalance, dizziness, or unsteadiness that makes you feel as if you could fall over at any moment, you may have a balance or gait disorder. The vestibular system is responsible for all balance disorders and issues in general.
In the inner ear, the vestibular system is a delicate collection of fluid-filled chambers and sensory nerves. When your vestibular system, which manages your “proprioception,” or sense of position, is disrupted, it can be difficult to maintain your balance.
Contact Total Care Physical Therapy in Hillsborough right away if you’re having trouble with your balance. We can assist you in determining the source of your problem and treating it appropriately.
Why is my mobility not what it once was?
As we age, our bones shrink and our muscles weaken, making it more likely that we will lose our balance and injure ourselves. Aside from age, there can be many causes of balance and gait disorders, as they can develop from a variety of underlying conditions, many of which can be exacerbated by age.
The following are some common vestibular conditions that may be contributing to your mobility and gait issues:
- Injury or ailment. Even if your brain and nervous system are working in harmony with one another, a sudden injury, disease, or other ailment causing muscle weakness can interfere with your balance and make it difficult to keep yourself upright.
- Neurological issues. This may include Parkinson’s disease, brain injury, or stroke. Anything that affects your neurological system can also impact your balance.
- Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). This occurs when calcium debris breaks off in the inner ear, causing issues with balance.
How can physical therapy help me with my balance?
“Falls and a fear of falling can diminish your ability to lead a full and independent life,” according to Choose PT. A fall can have unintended consequences, such as injury, loss of independence, and a reduced ability to do the things that are most important to you. You can avoid falling by engaging in enjoyable physical activities and working with a physical therapist to improve your balance, muscle strength, and endurance.”
Muscle weakness, particularly around the hips and core, is frequently a primary contributor to poor balance and falls. Patients who receive strength and balance training are better prepared to recover from unexpected lapses in gait or a momentary loss of balance in order to avoid falls.
Gait training may be one of the most important aspects of your treatment plan. Gait training will include activities that will not only improve your gait mechanics, but will also boost your confidence and safety when navigating across various terrains and around various obstacles. Our physical therapists will also assess the need for an assistive device or make modifications to one you already have.
Static and dynamic balance training will almost certainly be included in your physical therapy treatment to help your body learn how to respond to environmental challenges to their balance. For example, you might be asked to stand on one leg while performing a mentally demanding task, such as reciting the alphabet or reading aloud a paragraph of text. Our physical therapists will also teach you balance strategies to help mitigate fall risk.
Endurance training can be used to improve not only muscle endurance for activity, but also aerobic capacity for activity, both of which reduce fatigue as a risk factor for falls while walking or performing daily tasks.
For immediate assistance, please contact Total Care Physical Therapy
When you come in for your initial consultation, one of our Total Care Physical Therapy physical therapists will perform a thorough physical examination to examine your balance, gait, stance, medical history, and symptoms before developing a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.
In any case, all treatment plans will include targeted gait training and mobility exercises to improve your core, vestibular system, and overall proprioception.
Are you ready to get back on your feet and move freely again? Contact our Hillsborough office today to schedule a consultation and get started!
