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The "why" behind healthy

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Fear of falling

10/10/2019

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Picture
Picture
When adults fall they often land hard.  The 87 year old gentleman in these photos only had contusions, not fractures, but he got the message and came in for an evaluation of his balance.  

The concept is simple for balance retraining and the lecture goes something like this...
Center of mass over base of support - it's the principle behind learning to walk.  When we're 10 month old children the adults are thrilled if we're holding on to the sofa or bouncing along the walls to keep mobile. When you do it as an adult it's dangerous and makes your adult children worried!  While nearly every adult I have ever spoken to declines a cane or walker on the first suggestion the value of these devices, even short term, is no different than for a cruising toddler.  You have more fluid mobility and learn the limits of your stability safely.  And while it may be safer to hang on to your partner to cross the street, too much dependence on the base of support from someone else disrupts your own awareness, making falling an even greater risk.  And, unlike children, when adults fall they tend to become scared and less active. Logically that may make sense from a safety standpoint but is not healthy and should be a trigger to add leg strengthening and balance training to your current workout.  Or, have a physical therapist design a wellness program as soon as possible.  Once you become fearful of falling it's often hard to correct. 
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    Archives

    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019

    Author:
    Nancy Foley, PT, DPT
    Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy

    When people understand why some activities may be safer or better than others, or why a condition might get better with activity modification, or why asking better questions of their doctor leads to better outcomes,  healthy things happen.
    ​Sure, health is the first wealth but knowledge is how you get returns on that investment.

    Perspectives for Patients:

    Bunions
    Carpal Tunnel
    Dizziness and falls​

    Knee ligament injuries
    Knee pain and strength​​
    Meniscal injuries
    ​
    Neck pain

    Plantar fasciitis
    ​
    Pregnancy and LBP

    Running and arthritis
    Running form 
    ​Running and mileage
    Safe Driving

    All

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