Feeling Off-Balance? Physical Therapy Can Help You With a Fall Prevention Program!
Have you ever felt a little off, dizzy, or shaky, as if you might pass out at any moment? Have you ever tripped and had to grab a nearby railing or piece of furniture to catch yourself? Are you worried about sustaining an injury as a result of a fall?
Unfortunately, most people do not consider maintaining their balance until it is too late and they have suffered a serious fall. The good news is that most falls can be avoided by exercising your balance system on a regular basis.
If you are worried that you are at a risk for falling, call Triumph Physical Therapy at University Place, WA today at 253-256-3311 to learn more about fall prevention techniques.
Common Conditions that Increase the Risk of Falling
Some people have a higher risk of falling than others. Certain risk factors include:
- Fatigue
- Living a sedentary life
- Overall poor health
- Vertigo or dizziness
- Being female
- Parkinson’s disease
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Previous history of falls
- Diabetes
- Previous stroke or heart attack
- Arthritis or alternative joint pain
- Heart disease
- Advanced age
- Problems with vision
- Problems with walking or staying balanced
Our dedicated physical therapist 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.
Am I At Risk For Falling?
When determining whether or not you are at a high risk of falling and injuring yourself, there are a number of indicators to look for.
It is important to note that you should contact a physical therapist if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Double vision or tunnel vision
- Nausea or vomiting
- Arm or leg weakness
- Abnormal eye movements
- Dizziness or vertigo (“spinning” sensations, even when remaining still)
- Inability to focus or remain alert
- Difficulty standing up from a seated position or standing for prolonged periods
If you have any of these symptoms, vestibular physical therapy and/or a fall prevention program at our clinic could greatly benefit you and help prevent your risk of falling.
What Does The Typical Fall Prevention Treatment Plan Look Like?
Your initial physical examination at Triumph Physical Therapy at University Place, WA 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:
- Walking and moving programs – This part of your treatment plan is aimed at getting you back to your normal physical function when walking and/or moving. Our physical therapist may ask you to perform certain activities, such as walking in a circle or completing an obstacle course.
- 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.
- 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 design a strength training program for you that will focus on specific muscle areas that need to be strengthened. This will improve your standing and walking balance, as well as your capacity to recover from a fall.
Start Finding Relief And Stability Today
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 Triumph Physical Therapy to request an appointment and get started today!