The older a person becomes, the more at risk they are of having a severe injury when falling – particularly for adults aged 65 or older. While falling may lead to nasty bruises, around one in five falls results in injury. One single fall has the power to lead to extended medical treatments or quickly reduce your quality of life. Fortunately, several steps can be taken that might help reduce both the risk of falling and any associated injuries, including chiropractic care.
Why Is Fall Prevention Important?
Falling at an older age can lead to pain, injury, mobility issues, and a decreased quality of life. Other side effects of a nasty fall can even include broken bones – particularly in the wrist, arm, or ankle and most serious injuries like a hip fracture. Head injuries are also common in the aftermath of a fall for those who take blood thinners or other associated medications.
Many adults will fear falling again when a fall occurs and might start limiting their previous activities. This often works against them and results in a sedentary lifestyle that further increases muscle weakness while increasing fall risk. Several medical factors can contribute to the risk of falling, including:
- Cognitive Impairment
- Difficulty Walking or Maintaining Balance
- Lower Body Muscle Weakness
- Decreased Core Strength
- Joint and Muscle Pain
- Environmental Hazards
- Pre-Existing Medical Conditions
- Certain Medications
- Vision Problems
At Hunt Spinal Care, we encourage patients and their families to assess their homes and the surrounding environmental hazards that might be present. Many falls that occur with older adults happen in or around the house. Installing grab bars in the bathroom, keeping paths or hallways cleared, and keeping frequently used items within reach may help reduce fall risks.
Chiropractic Care for Fall Prevention
In many cases, injuries sustained from a fall can be treated with gentle chiropractic care, including neck, hip, or back pain. The processes utilized in a chiropractic session may relieve the pain that the patient is feeling and expand preventative care. This occurs because chiropractic care works to restore joint and tissue functionality to encourage healthy aging.
By restoring the alignment in the body, chiropractic care is often critical for maintaining mobility and staying active. Many chiropractors will also provide nutritional advice to provide the body with the appropriate fuel to keep bones strong; however, lifestyle and physical changes may be required to improve and maintain flexibility, strength, and balance.
Improving muscle strength in the core and leg muscle groups is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of falling and decrease the chance of severe injury. Several light exercises, including yoga, dancing, jogging, and Tai Chi, require no equipment to get started – other than a pair of supportive shoes. Seated leg exercises may be beneficial for those who already have decreased mobility. For the best results, try to maintain 20 minutes of exercise each day.
How Can Hunt Spinal Care Help!
With these steps and our chiropractic treatments, we will work together with you and your health care providers to ensure you can continue living a whole and healthy life. For more information on how chiropractic care can help with fall prevention or schedule an appointment, please contact Hunt Spinal Care today.
