Excel Physical Therapy Physician Update
EXCEL PHYSICAL THERAPY PHYSICIAN UPDATE
A Courtesy Publication for the Medical Community
BALANCE & DIZZINESS: HOW TO FURTHER PREVENT FALLS
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EXC PHYSI
A Courtesy Publication fo
Balance & Dizziness: How
Falling is one of the highest day-to-day risks for individuals 65 and older. With as many as 30% of falls resulting in a moderate to severe injury, it’s not uncommon to see a single fall as the beginning of a vicious cycle of health problems.
Falls are not inevitable and, in the vast majority of cases, are easily preventable. Here are some tips to help prevent falls and keep your patients safe at home. Warm-Up Before You Get Up Sometimes your patients can get lightheaded or dizzy when first standing up after sitting for a while, because blood pools in your feet. When your patients get up too quickly, their body doesn’t have enough time to get the blood up to their brain before they stand up. Your patients can help this by marching their feet or kicking their legs before they stand up to help their blood circulate. Keep The Home Free of Tripping Hazards • Patients should keep a clear walkway throughout their home. They should make sure there are no objects or furniture that they have to step over. Encourage them to make things easier on themselves! • Rugs should lay flat. A rug pad will help if rugs tend to bunch up, or slide. • They should keep an eye on their pets. Knowing where they are can help prevent tripping. A baby gate is a great way to keep pets off the stairs where many falls occur. Control The Environment • The majority of falls occur in the bathroom. We encourage patients to set up a shower bar and floor grip pads, even if they don’t feel unsteady right now. Make the change before they need it! By R. Dawson Marshall, PT, DPT
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w To Further Prevent Falls
• Many people are hesitant to start using an assistive walking device. There will be bad days when your patients may feel off-balance or dizzy. Even if they don’t use a mobility aid every day, it is good to have one around. If they are concerned about getting tired or weak during a walk, a rollator walkers can double as a convenient seat. Keep Moving! Regular exercise can ensure that your patients' bodies maintain the strength and conditioning necessary to keep themselves upright. Balance deteriorates more quickly than strength or flexibility. They should walk confidently and at a brisk pace. Reach Out! Treat falls seriously. If your patient experiences a fall, please don’t let them shrug it off. A fall can mean that there’s an underlying issue at play. If your patient is feeling unstable or dizzy when walking around, don’t hesitate to refer them to Excel Physical Therapy. We can help improve their overall balance and stability to help prevent falls. BENEFITS OF PHYSICAL THERAPY • Decrease pain quickly • Increase spinal stability • Increase activity level • Increase flexibility • Improve health • Improve mobility • Improve posture • Improve quality of life • Prevent future injury • Return to work faster • Decrease healthcare costs • Increase independence
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Excel Physical Therapy News LOCATIONS NOW OPEN FOR YOUR PATIENTS! 3 Northern Liberties 709 N. 2nd Street, Suite 200 Philadelphia, PA 19123 Phone: 267-529-0080 Fax: 267-529-0090 NEW CONVENIENT
Passyunk
1843 East Passyunk Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19148-2127
Phone: 267-551-3464 Fax: 267-551-3465
University City
4005 Ludlow Street Philadelphia, PA 19104
Phone: 267-529-0050 Fax: 267-529-0070
excelphysicaltherapy.com CALL 866-88-EXCEL TODAY!
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