6 Ways A Vestibular Physical Therapist Can Help You Put Falls in the Past

A National Council of Aging (NCOA) study found that one out of four Americans over 65 falls each year. However, falls do not only occur in older adults. A recent study found that 48% of young adults have fallen at least once in their lives, followed by 25% falling more than once and 10% reporting an injury from a fall, most commonly from participating in sports or walking across males and females². While some of these falls may not be avoidable, many are.

A vestibular physical therapist isn’t just a therapist who is there to help you after a bout of vertigo or after a concussion. We are also here to help you with balance and walking difficulties that could lead to a potential fall or injury. Here are six ways a vestibular specialist can help you put falls in the past for good.

1. Improving Lower Body Muscle Strength

One of the reasons people tend to fall is weakness of the muscles in their legs. By improving lower body strength, we are improving the foundation you are standing on. This can also help reduce lower body pains.

2. Targeting Balance

Balance training is an essential component of avoiding falls. One practice seen regularly is that people tend to make overcorrections when trying to maintain balance. Learning to make small corrections can help reduce the risk of falling in the opposite direction. You can also test your balance in challenging situations, such as standing on unstable surfaces or when vision is impaired.

3. Working on Dual Tasking Activities

We are constantly multi-tasking throughout the day. It is important to train dual tasking, such as walking with head turns to recreate activities you regularly do that require balance.

4. Education for Fall Prevention

People who are afraid of falling are more likely to fall than those who are not. Education on reducing fall risks, such as adding a nightlight to a dimly lit hallway or removing rugs, can help reduce the risk of falls.

5. Developing a Home Exercise Program for Continued Success

Participating in physical therapy is a great step toward decreasing fall risks. Your therapist will work with you to develop an exercise program that will target areas that are weak and address balance difficulties you may have. These should be done while in therapy as well as when you are discharged to maintain the improvements you have made.

A vestibular therapist can help reduce your odds of a fall and keep you on your feet. Contact your local Athletico or visit Athletico.com to find a vestibular therapist near you to get started!

Find A Vestibular Therapist Near You

The Athletico blog is an educational resource written by Athletico employees. Athletico bloggers are licensed professionals who abide by the code of ethics outlined by their respective professional associations. The content published in blog posts represents the opinion of the individual author based on their expertise and experience. The content provided in this blog is for informational purposes only, does not constitute medical advice and should not be relied on for making personal health decisions.

References:
1. https://www.ncoa.org/article/get-the-facts-on-falls-prevention/
2.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8061998/#:~:text=Falls%20and%20fall%2Drelated%20injuries,%25)%20and%20walking%20(37%25).