By Aleisha Theisen, PTA and NBC-HWC
Falling is something that many people fear, but there are effective ways to fight back against your fall risk and improve your balance. September is National Falls Prevention Awareness Month, and we are here to help you determine if you are at a higher-than-normal risk of falling — and if so, to guide you through a customized treatment plan to be steady again.
Our physical therapists at FYZICAL-Forest Grove are skilled at assessing imbalance, evaluating fall risk, and developing treatment plans to improve patients' balance. Our team also is trained to treat concussions and joint injuries, but we’d rather help you prevent them. According to the Brain Injury Association of America, almost half of the hospitalizations related to traumatic brain injuries are due to falls.
During September, we highlight the importance of fall prevention with our Fight the Fall campaign, which includes a free balance screening for anyone who thinks they might be a little less steady than they used to be. Being aware of your fall risk is powerful, because you and our PT team can turn that data into a treatment plan to get you back to age norms and improve your confidence.
If you do have a balance deficit, our physical therapists have a comprehensive approach to help you address it and fight back against the risk of falling. For patients who want to take action, our in-clinic approach is as follows:
Assessment
1.) Patient History: Our PTs begin by gathering detailed information about your medical history, including previous falls, medications, and any underlying conditions that may affect balance.
2.) Observational Assessment: Your physical therapist will observe your posture, gait, and overall movement patterns to identify potential issues.
3.) Standardized Tests: Various validated standing and walking tests are used to assess balance and fall risk. Your PT will determine which ones are most appropriate for you. A commonly used one is the Sensory Organization Test, which assesses the integration of visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive systems. We use our high-tech MotionVR system to test this and track your progress over time.
4.) Strength and Range of Motion Testing: This process identifies any muscular weaknesses or joint limitations that may contribute to balance issues.
Fall Risk Evaluation
Our physical therapists use the information from those assessments along with the following additional factors to determine your fall risk:
- Age and overall health status
- History of falls
- Medication side effects
- Environmental hazards
- Vision and hearing impairments
Improving Balance: Treatment Strategies
Once the assessment is complete, your physical therapist will develop a personalized treatment plan to improve your balance and reduce your fall risk. This may include:
1.) Strengthening Exercises: May focus on core and lower body — especially ankle muscles — to improve stability.
2.) Flexibility Training: Enhances range of motion in joints, particularly in the ankles, hips, knees and spine, so they can quickly and smoothly react to your body’s movement or changes in your environment.
3.) Balance-Specific Exercises:
- Static balance exercises (such as single-leg standing or standing heel-to-toe)
- Dynamic balance exercises (walking on uneven surfaces or stepping over obstacles)
- Dual-task training (performing cognitive tasks like counting backwards by threes or reciting items in a recipe while maintaining balance)
4.) Vestibular Rehabilitation: Specific exercises to improve inner ear function and reduce dizziness and unsteadiness. These often include activities that involve head or body movements, or exercises that temporarily reduce your body’s ability to rely on your vision or somatosensory systems. For example, your PT may have you stand on a soft surface like a piece of foam or close your eyes to challenge your vestibular system to be active and get stronger. These are custom-designed by your PT based on your current balance status, and they are set up in a way in which you can challenge yourself safely.
5.) Proprioceptive Training: Exercises to enhance body awareness and position sense. Weight shifting and tai-chi style exercises are some examples.
6.) Gait Training: Improving walking patterns and efficiency. Our PTs might add some dynamic or vestibular challenges, such as walking across a soft surface, turning your head side to side, stepping over obstacles, or balancing on one foot briefly during each step. They can use the clinic’s Solo-Step Overhead Track System, which includes a harness that keeps you safe while you challenge yourself.
7.) Environmental Modifications: Recommendations for home safety improvements to reduce fall risk. Some examples include adding railings or grab bars, adding lighting and making sure walkways are free of clutter. Here are some good ways to get started.
8.) Assistive Device Training: Proper use of canes, walkers, or other mobility aids when necessary.
9.) Education: Sharing fall prevention strategies and how to safely recover from a fall.
10.) Functional Training: Incorporating balance challenges into daily activities to improve real-world performance.
Monitoring Progress
Your physical therapist will continually reassess you throughout the treatment process, using the same standardized tests and observational techniques employed in the initial evaluation. This allows for adjustment of the treatment plan as needed and provides objective measures of improvement.
Conclusion
Our physical therapists at FYZICAL-Forest Grove use a comprehensive approach to assessing and improving balance. By combining thorough evaluation techniques with personalized treatment strategies, they can help you significantly reduce your risk of falling and improve your confidence and quality of life.
Instead of avoiding your favorite activities due to fear of falling, consider talking to your doctor and getting a balance assessment at FYZICAL-Forest Grove, so you can tackle any balance issues head-on and get back to the things you love.
For more information or to schedule an evaluation, call FYZICAL-Forest Grove at 503-357-1706.
Aleisha Theisen is a physical therapist assistant and a board-certified health and wellness coach.
Disclaimer: This blog is provided for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Source
https://www.biausa.org/public-affairs/media/prevent-falls#