Fight the Fall! Understanding Fall Risk & Prevention
Nov 24, 2021
Florida - Sarasota, Bradenton & Charlotte Counties , Florida - Southwest
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At FYZICAL Therapy and Balance Centers, fall prevention is the cornerstone of our mission; Balance is part of our name after all! The week of September 21st is the start of the fall season, but it also kicks off Fall Prevention Awareness Week. Each year we bring focus to this very important topic though our Fight the Fall! campaign.
We are offering FREE Fall Risk Assessments to identify individuals of all ages and conditions at risk of falling. In fact, as a national organization, FYZICAL is looking to set a record for the most Fall Risk Assessments conducted during Fall Prevention Awareness Week: September 21st-25th!
To set up your free screening, call your nearest FYZICAL Therapy and Balance Center to request an appointment today!
Falls are preventable. If you or someone you know suffers from imbalance, keep in mind that early intervention is key. Falling is not an inevitable result of aging, and there are steps you can take to improve your balance and decrease the chances of falling. By identifying risk, future injuries can be prevented. 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. Together we can Fight the Fall!
What You Should Know About Fall Risk & Prevention
Just about everyone has experienced a fall at some point after losing their balance or tripping over an object. Although common, falls can be dangerous and lead to many types of injuries, some of them long-term or even fatal. Fortunately, the most common causes of falling are also preventable.
What happens in the body when we fall?
Falling occurs because the bodys balance has been disrupted. A persons body can maintain balance because the brain receives and interprets information from several different types of sources:1
Vision (from the eyes)
Proprioception (from the joints and muscles, which provide sense of touch)
Vestibular system (from the inner ear, which senses motion, equilibrium, and where we are in a physical space)
Based on this input, the brain sends information to different parts of the body to help maintain balance. Sometimes the different sources may send conflicting information. For example, have you ever gotten off of a treadmill, boat, or out of a moving car only to feel like you are still moving?
Most of the time, the brain can correct conflicting information to keep a person steady on their feet. Occasionally, however, a person may become off-balance and fall.
Falling is both common and dangerous.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that more than one out of four older people (those aged 65 and up) falls each year.2 Twenty percent of falls lead to serious injuries, such as broken bones or a head injury.
The CDC also has found:
More than 3 million older people are injured in falls and receive treatment in emergency departments each year.
At least 300,000 older people are hospitalized for hip fractures each year. Of these hip fractures, 95 percent are caused by falling.
Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries.
Medical costs for falls in 2015 were more than $50 billion, with Medicare and Medicaid taking on 75 percent of these costs.
A person who falls once becomes more likely to fall again, especially at an older age.
People who have fallen in the past tend to become fearful of another fall, which can make them socially withdrawn or less
physically active, which actually increases the risk of falls.
What are the risks of falling?
The risk of falling increases with age, but falls can happen to anyone, at any time, for many different reasons. Most cases of falling involve several different causes or risk factors.3,4 Some of the more common types include:
Muscle weakness, especially in the legs
Lack of vitamin D
Trouble with walking or balance
Side effects of medications like sedatives, antidepressants, or cold medicine that can cause drowsiness or dizziness
Poor vision
Loss of hearing
Foot pain or improper footwear
Uneven flooring or stairs
Clutter in the home
Consumption of alcohol
Memory loss, difficulty concentrating, or confusion
Fainting or loss of consciousness
Poor balance
Incontinence that causes frequent or urgent trips to the bathroom
Drop-in blood pressure
Walking on ice or wet floors
If you find that you are dizzy or otherwise losing your balance, dont ignore it. Its important to seek help as soon as balanceissues begin. A lot of people wait too long. But the longer you wait, the worse it can get.
How can physical therapy help prevent falls?
Improving your walking skills technically known as your gait and your balance are interrelated challenges. At FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers, we help you master these skills to decrease your risk of injury, while also increasing your confidence and independence.
Balance and gait are inextricably linked because they tend to impact one another. Therapy that improves gait and balance works to help keep the bodys different balance and movement systems functioning in harmony.
Gait and balance training has a range of benefits:
Avoiding injuries associated with falls or dizziness
Increased confidence with your footing and movement
Reduced pain from poor posture or gait
What happens in balance and gait training?
First, well evaluate your gait to determine potential problems with strength and posture. Simple movements to test balance are also part of the assessment. Together, these basic evaluations help us know what to focus on in terms of therapy.
Hip and ankle weakness often leads to balance problems, as does poor posture. Strength and flexibility movements can help counteract these problems. These are often as simple as leg lifts while seated in a chair, or knee marching. We may also practice standing on one leg, walking heel-to-toe, or tracking the movement of your thumb with your eyes as you move it in various positions.
The team at FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers knows how important balance and walking are for independent living, as well as for work activities, exercise, sports, and enjoying life in general.
We offer the following programs and therapies to help reduce the risk of falls:
Assessment and Evaluation Programs
Difficulty Walking
Gait Training and Balance Programs
Fall Prevention and Balance Retraining
Manual Therapy
Fitness and Wellness Programs
Vestibular Rehab
Functional Training
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FYZICAL
Rehabilitation Services , Sarasota, Florida, 00000We are much more than your typical physical therapy clinic. At FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers, we focus on improving your quality of life by using a holistic, whole-body approach to connect your diagnosis with a customized plan of care. FYZICAL therapists are experts in the art and science of the evaluation and treatment of the human body. We care for people of all ages and treat a variety of muscle, joint and neurological conditions .In addition to using the most relevant therapeutic techniques and state-of-the-art technology, effective communication is a key component for successful, efficient recovery. We make sure you fully understand why you are experiencing your symptoms, what is the recommended treatment program, and how to prevent pain or dysfunction from happening in the future. The comprehensive evaluation and wellness programs at FYZICAL Therapy and Balance Centers will help you achieve the pinnacle of healthy living, expand your boundaries and feel better. Our highly skilled therapy providers are 100% focused on your optimal health so you can Love Your Life! FYZICAL Ellenton2990 US-301 N, Ellenton, FL, 34222(941) 721-1854 (941) 721-1859 ellenton@fyzical.comHours of Operations Mon 7:20am - 6pm Tue 7:20am - 3pm Wed 7:20am - 6pm Thu 7:20am - 6pm Fri 7:20am - 6pm Sat Closed Sun ClosedFYZICAL Bradenton Central5211 Manatee Ave W, Bradenton, FL, 34209(941) 749-1734 bradenton@fyzical.comHours of Operations Mon 7:20am - 6pm Tue 7:20am - 3pm Wed 7:20am - 6pm Thu 7:20am - 6pm Fri 7:20am - 6pm Sat Closed Sun ClosedFYZICAL University Parkway2401 University Parkway, Suite 103, Sarasota, FL, 34243(941) 444-5970 (941) 444-5971 Universityparkway@fyzical.comHours of OperationsMon 8am - 5pm Tue 8am - 5pm Wed 8am - 5pm Thu 8am - 5pm Fri 8am - 5pm Sat Closed Sun ClosedFYZICAL South Sarasota5980 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL, 34231(941) 894-6848 (941) 263-7491 southsarasota@fyzical.comHours of OperationsMon 8am - 5pm Tue 7:20am - 5pm Wed 8am - 5pm Thu 7:20am - 4:20pm Fri 8am - 4:20pm Sat By Appointment Only Sun ClosedFYZICAL Venice2203 S Tamiami Trail, Venice, FL, 34293(941) 408-0670 (941) 408-0160 venice@fyzical.comHours of OperationsMon 8am - 5pm Tue 8am - 5pm Wed 8am - 5pm Thu 8am - 5pm Fri 8am - 5pm Sat Closed Sun Closed
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Rehabilitation Services , Sarasota, Florida, 00000We are much more than your typical physical therapy clinic. At FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers, we focus on improving your quality of life by using a holistic, whole-body approach to connect your diagnosis with a customized plan of care. FYZICAL therapists are experts in the art and science of the evaluation and treatment of the human body. We care for people of all ages and treat a variety of muscle, joint and neurological conditions .In addition to using the most relevant therapeutic techniques and state-of-the-art technology, effective communication is a key component for successful, efficient recovery. We make sure you fully understand why you are experiencing your symptoms, what is the recommended treatment program, and how to prevent pain or dysfunction from happening in the future. The comprehensive evaluation and wellness programs at FYZICAL Therapy and Balance Centers will help you achieve the pinnacle of healthy living, expand your boundaries and feel better. Our highly skilled therapy providers are 100% focused on your optimal health so you can Love Your Life! FYZICAL Bonita Springs25241 Elementary Way, Bonita Springs, FL, 34135(239) 947-4184 (239) 947-4171 bonitasprings@fyzical.comVisit WebsiteRequest an AppointmentFYZICAL Northeast Naples7740 Preserve Ln, Suite 5, Naples, FL, 34119(239) 227-2297 (239) 228-4878 northeastnaples@fyzical.comVisit WebsiteRequest an AppointmentFYZICAL East Naples12250 Tamiami Trail E, Suite 102, East Naples, FL, 34113(239) 417-0027 eastnaples@fyzical.comVisit WebsiteRequest an AppointmentFYZICAL East Fort Myers10676 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers, FL, 33913(239) 465-4880 eastfortmyers@fyzical.comVisit WebsiteRequest an AppointmentFYZICAL Fort Myers Metro13010 Metro Pkwy, Fort Myers, FL, 33966(239) 561-5616 fortmyersmetro@fyzical.comVisit WebsiteRequest an AppointmentFYZICAL South Fort Myers18070 S Tamiami Trail, Suite 15, Fort Myers, FL, 33908(239) 344-4448 southfortmyers@fyzical.comVisit WebsiteRequest an AppointmentFYZICAL West Fort Myers15620 McGregor Blvd, Suite 115, Fort Myers, FL, 33908(239) 454-6262 westfortmyers@fyzical.comVisit WebsiteRequest an AppointmentFYZICAL North Fort Myers16251 N Cleveland Ave, Suite 3, North Fort Myers, FL, 33903(239) 731-6222 northfortmyers@fyzical.comVisit WebsiteRequest an AppointmentFYZICAL North Port13871 Tamiami Trail, North Port, FL, 34287(941) 423-5668 (941) 423-5669 northport@fyzical.comVisit WebsiteRequest an AppointmentFYZICAL Port Charlotte17751 Murdock Cir, Port Charlotte, FL, 33948(941) 743-8700 (941) 743-8850 portcharlotte@fyzical.comVisit WebsiteRequest an AppointmentFYZICAL Imperial12840 Tamiami Trail N, Suite 200, Naples, FL, 34110(239) 592-5500 (239) 592-1614 imperial@fyzical.comVisit WebsiteRequest an Appointment
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Physicians 2401 University Parkway #103, Sarasota, Florida, 34234We are much more than your typical physical therapy clinic. At FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers, we focus on improving your quality of life by using a holistic, whole-body approach toconnectyour diagnosiswith acustomizedplan of care.FYZICAL therapists are experts in the art and science of the evaluation and treatment of the human body. We care for people of all ages and treat a variety of muscle, joint and neurological conditions.In addition to using the most relevant therapeutic techniques and state-of-the-art technology, effective communication is a key component for successful, efficientrecovery. We make sure you fully understand why you are experiencing your symptoms, what is the recommended treatment program, and how to prevent pain or dysfunction from happening in the future.The comprehensiveevaluationand wellness programs at FYZICAL Therapy and Balance Centers will help youachievethe pinnacle of healthy living, expand your boundaries and feel better. Our highly skilled therapy providers are 100% focused onyouroptimal health so you can Love Your Life!FYZICAL Bonita Springs25241 Elementary Way, Bonita Springs, FL, 34135(239) 947-4184 (239) 947-4171 bonitasprings@fyzical.comVisit WebsiteRequest an AppointmentFYZICAL Northeast Naples7740 Preserve Ln, Suite 5, Naples, FL, 34119(239) 227-2297 (239) 228-4878 northeastnaples@fyzical.comVisit WebsiteRequest an AppointmentFYZICAL East Naples12250 Tamiami Trail E, Suite 102, East Naples, FL, 34113(239) 417-0027 eastnaples@fyzical.comVisit WebsiteRequest an AppointmentFYZICAL East Fort Myers10676 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers, FL, 33913(239) 465-4880 eastfortmyers@fyzical.comVisit WebsiteRequest an AppointmentFYZICAL Fort Myers Metro13010 Metro Pkwy, Fort Myers, FL, 33966(239) 561-5616 fortmyersmetro@fyzical.comVisit WebsiteRequest an AppointmentFYZICAL South Fort Myers18070 S Tamiami Trail, Suite 15, Fort Myers, FL, 33908(239) 344-4448 southfortmyers@fyzical.comVisit WebsiteRequest an AppointmentFYZICAL West Fort Myers15620 McGregor Blvd, Suite 115, Fort Myers, FL, 33908(239) 454-6262 westfortmyers@fyzical.comVisit WebsiteRequest an AppointmentFYZICAL North Fort Myers16251 N Cleveland Ave, Suite 3, North Fort Myers, FL, 33903(239) 731-6222 northfortmyers@fyzical.comVisit WebsiteRequest an AppointmentFYZICAL North Port13871 Tamiami Trail, North Port, FL, 34287(941) 423-5668 (941) 423-5669 northport@fyzical.comVisit WebsiteRequest an AppointmentFYZICAL Port Charlotte17751 Murdock Cir, Port Charlotte, FL, 33948(941) 743-8700 (941) 743-8850 portcharlotte@fyzical.comVisit WebsiteRequest an AppointmentFYZICAL Imperial12840 Tamiami Trail N, Suite 200, Naples, FL, 34110(239) 592-5500 (239) 592-1614 imperial@fyzical.comVisit WebsiteRequest an Appointment