SERVICES
Preventing Falls & Improving Balance
Understanding falls and loss of balance
A loss in balance with a resulting fall can be due to a number of causes, including a stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, Vestibular Dysfunction and FND. If you suffer from any of these conditions, your loss of balance will be treated as part of your rehabilitation program.
Impaired balance, however, can also be part of the aging process, resulting in minor injuries, such as grazes and sprains. It can also result in more serious injuries, for example fractures and head injuries. The reason that many elderly people suffer from a loss in balance can be due to poor vision or hearing, even reduced strength and mobility problems.
Apart from suffering from serious injuries, as a result of a fall due to impaired balance, it can also cause you to lose confidence in your ability to walk and move around. This, in turn, can cause you to stay at home more often than normal with a resultant reduction in physical activity and social interaction.
Physiotherapy for preventing falls & improving balance
Our first action is to make sure that your loss in balance and history of falls is not due to an underlying condition that requires treatment. If there is an underlying condition, such as one of those mentioned above, we can help you to overcome this disability and work towards achieving more independence and a better quality of life.
On the other hand, if there is no underlying cause, apart from the aging process, then we can help you to regain your balance and prevent any further falls. Your treatment program may include improving flexibility in your joints, strengthening your legs and improving your walking gait. We may also include exercises that help you walk over uneven surfaces, up and down steps, and bending and reaching outside your centre of gravity.
All of these exercises will be focused on helping you improve your sense of balance, so that falls are much less likely to occur.
For more information on how Equip Rehabilitation can help you or a relative prevent falls and improve balance, call us on 0400 758 119, send us an email or BOOK ONLINE.