According to the National Council on Aging, falls are the No. 1 cause of injury and fatality in older adults. Are you or someone you love at risk of falling?
At Sensor Medica Clinic, our team of physical medicine experts want to share some of the factors that may increase your risk of falling and what you can do to prevent falls, injuries, and serious health complications.
Falling: Are you at risk?
It’s no secret that your body undergoes many changes as you get older. You may notice your reflexes are a bit slower, your eyesight is less than perfect, and your bones are more fragile and susceptible to fractures.
The physical effects of aging may place you or someone you love at risk of falling. But health issues and conditions may exacerbate fall risk, such as:
- Arthritis
- Depression
- Chronic medical conditions
- Acute illness
- Muscle weakness
- Foot pain
- Poor balance or coordination
You may also be at greater risk of falls if you take multiple medications or have had a previous fall. The Cleveland Clinic reports that people who fall once are twice as likely to fall again.
Taking steps to reduce your risk of falling
In most cases, falls occur because of a multitude of factors. Although you can’t change all of the factors that contribute to a potential fall, a few preventive measures may make a huge difference.
The types of shoes you wear may contribute to your foot pain or have too high of a heel and increase your risk of falling. Wearing low-heel, properly fitted shoes helps prevent unexpected trips and falls.
Engaging in a regular exercise routine may also reduce your risk of falling by strengthening your muscles. Walking is an easy aerobic activity that strengthens your leg muscles and improves cardiovascular health.
To improve overall muscle strength and balance, consider adding muscle-building activities such as body-resistance exercises (step-ups and squats are two examples) or joining an online yoga class.
You may be very independent, but that doesn’t mean you have to do everything by yourself. Reach out to friends or family when you need help. A good support system ensures you get the help you need to prevent unnecessary or unexpected falls.
How we can help
If you or someone you love is at risk of falls, the team at Sensor Medica Clinic can help. We perform fall risk assessments using state-of-the-art technology. During the assessment, we use a special sensor platform that measures your:
- Plantar pressure (the pressure of your foot on a surface)
- Spatio-temporal measurements (stance, stride time, and stride length)
- Joint angles
- Velocity
The state-of-the-art platform also conducts a balance assessment, which helps us identify any areas of instability that may affect your balance and increase your risk of falls. We also conduct a gait analysis during your fall risk assessment, which evaluates how your feet and body move when you walk or run.
We use the information gathered during your assessments to develop a treatment plan that reduces your risk of falling and improves your overall health.
In addition to making a few changes at home, we may recommend custom-made orthotics for better foot support. We may suggest physical therapy; our team can design an exercise program that matches your fitness needs to improve muscle strength, stability, coordination, and balance.
To alleviate pain, improve joint and spine alignment, and optimize health and wellness, we may also recommend chiropractic care.
Accidents happen, but falls can lead to serious injuries. If you have concerns about fall risk — for yourself or someone you love — we can help. Contact us today by phone, text, or online.