Build Your Balance- Prevent Falls This Fall | Peak Physical Therapy | Pembroke MA

As you begin to age, your body starts to experience some changes. Your hair might begin to thin, wrinkles can appear, and skin can start sagging. While all of these changes are visible to the eye, they are simply cosmetic. But what is changing on the inside of your body as you grow older? Muscles can weaken, and balance can disappear which leads to falling. At Peak Physical Therapy, a physical therapist Pembroke MA is here to explain the risks of falling and how practicing physical therapy techniques can improve balance in patients.

Fall Risks

Anyone can have a difficult time balancing, yet it is more common in older patients. According to the CDC, 3 million people 65 or older are treated in emergency departments for fall injuries. Balance can be lost when the body’s center of gravity is thrown off, and the typical “righting reactions” of the body should help regain composure. But, as we age, the body slowly loses control of that reaction, resulting in sluggish response times and increased risk of falling. Loss of balance or falling can be triggered by:

• Vision changes
• Neurological or head injuries
• Taking multiple medications
• Trip hazards (chords, uneven flooring, animals)
• Positional low blood pressure

Physical Therapy Pembroke MA for Fall Prevention

While it’s not possible to completely prevent a fall from occurring, seeing a physical therapist Pembroke MA can significantly reduce the risk of falling. Exercises such as squatting, standing up from a chair, and shifting or swaying can help improve strength, balance, and confidence to collectively help the patient feel safer and more comfortable moving in everyday life.  

Additional Steps

The exercises listed above seem simple, but it is always encouraged to contact a physical therapist Pembroke MA with Peak Physical Therapy about fall prevention. If falling occurs more than once, call and set up an appointment, to talk about medications being taken, exercise routine, potential fall hazards in your home, and over preventative measures.

Peak Physical Therapy Pembroke MA

Our South Shore Physical Therapy practice specializes in physical therapy including many specialty programs including return-to-sports, vestibular, pelvic health, post-concussion, aquatics, and more. Locations include physical therapy Pembroke, MA, Scituate, MA, Norwell, MA, Quincy, MA, Hanover, MA, and Braintree, MA. Our specialized programs combined with state-of-the-art facilities allow us to meet the unique needs of our local patients and achieve the fastest results. If you are unsure whether this type of treatment can help you, we offer a no-obligation FREE injury screening. Click here for more information.