Physical Therapy and Fall Prevention

Every year, one in four adults over the age of 65 experiences a fall. Across the United States, that equates to millions of older adults falling each year, with 1 in 5 falls resulting in severe fractures or traumatic head injuries.

Remarkably, less than half of individuals who fall discuss it with their physician, often out of embarrassment or the mistaken belief that balance loss is simply part of aging. But falling is not inevitable. With proactive assessment and targeted physical therapy, your risk of falling can be significantly minimized.

Modifiable Fall Risk Factors

Extensive clinical research demonstrates that most contributing factors are fully modifiable through physical therapy:

• Lower-body muscular weakness (quadriceps, gluteals, calf stabilizers)
• Gait asymmetries and reduced step clearance
• Vestibular and proprioceptive sensory deficits
• Foot pain, improper footwear, and reduced ankle dorsiflexion
• Environmental hazards like loose throw rugs and poor lighting

If you or a senior family member has experienced a fall or feels unsteady walking on uneven surfaces, contact our team for a comprehensive balance evaluation and personalized fall-prevention plan.

Reference: Private Practice Section (PPS) of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)