Fall prevention therapy is a comprehensive treatment plan used to reduce the risk of patients falling. By using a combination of physical therapy, strengthening activities, dynamic balance training, and lifestyle modifications, you can prevent the risk of fall injuries. This is important for patients with the following risk factors:

• Muscle weakness
• Arthritis
• Gait disorder
• Fall history
• Balance disorder
• Vertigo
• Visual deficits
• Hearing problems
• Neurologic deficits
• Cardiovascular deficits
• Traumatic brain injury
• 80 years old or above
• Currently on many medications

Fall prevention therapy is a long term treatment method that can lengthen in time depending on your personal needs. The primary goals of fall prevention include building strength, increasing mobility, improving overall physical function, and decreasing fall risk factors.

Physical therapists can help prevent falls with the following methods:

• Strength, movement, and endurance training
• Balance and flexibility training
• Pain management
• Health education
• Cognitive behavioral therapy and fear management
• Referrals to other physicians and fall prevention specialists

As you work through fall prevention therapy with a physical therapist, you can first expect your PT to assess the following:

• Medical history
• Current medications
• Vision and hearing test
• Footwear evaluation
• Balance, walking, and strength assessments
• Cardiovascular health assessment
• Home safety assessment
• Cognitive health assessment

Once they have all the information they need from this initial evaluation, your physical therapist will then create a long term treatment plan custom tailored to your unique needs.

The four basic types of fall prevention training include:

1. Strength Training

Strength training is essential for patients with weakened muscles. Strengthening exercises using resistance bands will reduce muscle mass atrophy.

2. Endurance Training

Endurance training and aerobic exercises are key factors for fall prevention. Low intensity training for lengths from anywhere to 10 to 30 minutes a day can have amazing benefits for your overall health. Water aerobics classes, dance classes, or even going for a walk every day can have tremendous health benefits.

3. Movement Training

Movement training and endurance training often go hand in hand. Participating in basic movements and training weak muscles or joints can help reduce the risk of falling. Your physical therapist will likely walk you through activities such as walking through an obstacle course or learning dance steps.

4. Balancing Training

Balance exercises such as weight shifting, leg raises, one-legged balancing, foot taps, heel-toe walks, and sit-to-stands can help you retrain your mind and body. By walking through a series of balance exercises, your body will learn how to properly control movements and recognize where it is in space. For further information about fall prevention therapy at Progressive Physical Therapy, please give our reception a call or schedule an appointment through our online request form. Our professional team would love to answer any of your additional questions and help you gain the skills needed to prevent falls. Falling can cause serious injury, complications, and pain which can be avoided through the proper physical therapy. The specialists at Progressive Physical Therapy look forward to providing you with the fall prevention therapy required to stay safe and prevent injury. For more information, call us today or book an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 15 Spinning Wheel Road Ste. 24 Hinsdale, IL 60521. We serve patients from Chicago IL, Oak Park IL, Lombard IL, Downers Grove IL, Bridgeview IL, and Oak Lawn IL.