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Balance Training To Overcome A Fear Of Falling

If you're a senior, have suffered a fall recently or you aren't as steady on your feet as you once were - Balance training is for you.

Falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths and serious health problems in the U.S, especially for those 50+ or with medical conditions that affects their balance and co-ordination.

This is a big reason why elderly people have a fear of falling, and this worry isn't unfounded.

But what should you do if you have a fear of falling?

What To Avoid If You Have A Fear Of Falling

Seniors will often stop doing the things they love and isolate themselves at home to minimise their fall risk.

Unfortunately, this doesn't work in the long term.

The less you move, the less work your muscles and joints go through. This leads to them becoming weaker.

The less you move, the less you are challenging your balance and co-ordination. This leads to poorer balance and unsteadiness on your feet.

As well as the physical impact, this approach leaves seniors more and more isolated from their friends and family, more prone to loneliness and ultimately unhappiness.

What To Do If You Have A Fear Of Falling

If you are afraid of falling, the best thing to do is keep as active as you can whilst remaining safe.

This means that you need to assess your balance, your co-ordination and your overall health to see what you can safely (and confidently) do.

Just as doing too little can be harmful long term, so can doing too much too soon.

That's why the first step we would recommend is arranging a Free Balance Assessment at our clinic in Waukesha.

Our skilled physical therapists work with people struggling with their balance, and worried about falls, just like you.

In the assessment, you can learn more about your fall risk, finally understand your losing your balance and confident on your feet and discover how to stop your constant fear of falling.

Why Improving Your Walking Skills Is Important

In our experience of working with hundreds of patients looking to improve their balance, the best results are achieved by also improving your walking skills, as well as your balance.

This is because your walking skills - technically known as your “gait” - and your balance are interrelated and they tend to impact one another.

In fact, your balance and gait both depend on a large number of body systems that include the eyes, the inner ear, the joint-muscle-nerve system, and cognitive functions. Therapy that improves gait and balance works with all of these systems to keep them functioning in harmony.

Because balance and gait are inextricably linked, combining balance and gait training into one delivers the fastest and most consistent results and the method we use when treating patients with a fear of falls.

If you focus solely on balance training, but don't address your gait (which you might have tried in the past), you may find that it takes longer to regain steadiness on your feet.

The Benefits Of Balance And Gait Training

Balance and gait training has a range of benefits, with reducing your fall risk and avoiding injuries being the most important for most people.

Beyond lessening your chances of falling or feeling dizzy, you will also feel more confident with your footing which can lead to a happier, social and active life.

Another benefit of balance and gait training is that there is natural relief from any pain in the lower back, knees or shoulders that is caused by poor posture.

Improve Your Balance And Reduce Your Fear Of Falling At FYZICAL Waukesha

FYZICAL Waukesha provides a comprehensive balance therapy program that includes an evaluation of a patient’s gait and balance to determine potential problems with strength, posture, and other conditions.

You will also receive a personalised program for core and lower body strength, balance, endurance and flexibility which will enable you to feel stronger, and drastically reduce your fall risk.

If you or someone you know suffers from poor balance and is worried about falls, make sure to arrange a Free Balance Assessment

By addressing your balance issue now, future injuries can be prevented, and you can keep active, mobile and social.

Our skilled physical therapists will create a program specifically tailored to your needs, so you can begin your quest to regain your footing, your confidence, and your freedom.

Arrange your Free Balance Assessment now by completing our simple form or call us on (262) 349-9297

More Free Resources On Balance and Falls

Take our Fight The Fall Quiz where you can quickly find out your fall risk, and receive some free expert advice about preventing falls in the elderly and younger individuals struggling with their balance and co-ordination.

Read Our Blog - Having Good Balance is a Critical Component of Healthy Aging

Read Our Blog - Fight The Fall! Understanding Fall Risk & Prevention

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