Avoid Falls and Stay on Your Feet–With a Little Help from Physical Therapy
Are you worried about falling and injuring yourself? Does limited mobility due to arthritis or another condition make you feel shaky? Balance challenges can certainly be difficult, but you do have options for improving your overall balance and stability!
One of the things we do at Foundation Therapy is helping people work on the spatial awareness and muscular strength crucial in addressing balance challenges. This is especially true for people with a high risk of falling, where improved balance could save you a trip to the hospital.
Want to learn more about the importance of good balance? Call to schedule an appointment today.
Why Should I Work on My Balance At All?
The older you get, the more important good balance becomes. Falls are one of the biggest threats to adults 65 years or older, causing millions of hospitalizations and emergency room visits every year.
While several factors contribute to this high fall risk–including age-related sensory and physical changes–you can do things to lessen your risk, and it’s never too early to get started! If you start working to improve your balance now, you’ll be in a better place as you age.
That said, there are other benefits to improving balance for younger people. A good sense of balance has a radiating effect on your overall fitness, helping to improve your posture and overall movement. You’ll be better able to catch yourself if you stumble or trip, and you might notice improvements in other physical activities, like running or playing sports.
How Can I Improve My Balance? Five Suggestions from Our Physical Therapists
1. Go for a Walk: Sometimes, the best solutions are the simplest. Walking helps build core and lower-body strength, two crucial components of good balance, and it’s safe and effective for most people. That said, if you’re struggling with balance, it’s important to speak to your physical therapist first–you might benefit from initial balance training or using a mobility aid during your walks.
2. Restore Your Mobility: Stiff or arthritic joints can negatively impact your balance. Our physical therapists can teach you how to restore or improve your mobility and guide you on a safe routine you can perform at home that targets your individual needs.
3. Target Your Core: If you’re really struggling with balance and instability, it may be time to focus on dedicated core exercises. Your core refers to the muscles that wrap around your spine–your back, hip, glute, and ab muscles. They keep your spine stabilized, which in turn helps you keep your balance. Not sure where to start with core strengthening? Our physical therapists can show you which exercises will work best for you.
4. Challenge Your Balance: As with any other aspect of fitness, spending time on dedicated balance training can help you see results. Your goal is to find exercises that challenge your sense of balance without putting you at risk of falling–again, this is something our PTs can help with.
5. Assess Your Balance: If you want to get serious about improving your balance, schedule an appointment at Foundation Therapy to have your balance assessed by one of our experts. We’ll run several balance screens to help us pinpoint the exact reason for your balance challenges–it may even be something you didn’t expect, such as inner ear issues. With a balance assessment, we can help you target your treatment to suit your exact needs.
The physical therapists at Foundation Therapy specialize in movement and exercise. If you visit us for a balance assessment, we can design a customized treatment program that addresses your needs and abilities. For example…
- Dealing with persistent pain that makes walking difficult? We can guide you through a drug-free pain management program.
- Find most core exercises impossible? You’re not alone. Although activities like core planks have significant benefits, many beginners need to build up to them. We’ll show you core exercises that you can actually perform.
- Not sure how to challenge your balance? We’ll guide you through a progress balance training program, measuring your progress and increasing intensity as you go.
Don’t miss out on the benefits of good balance. Call us to request your balance assessment today!
Return to PT at Foundation Therapy!
Miss feeling your best? Come back to Foundation Therapy and let us help you get there—schedule your appointment today!
Tips for a
Healthy Holiday Season
The holiday season is upon us, and getting wrapped up in the fun, festivities, and food is easy. While the joy of the season sparks a feeling of goodwill towards others, it’s also important to remember our physical well-being.
Keep yourself feeling your best to enjoy the holidays by following these three tips:
- Remember to Move: Prioritize exercise by taking a 20-minute brisk walk or doing a home workout. Movement can do wonders for your physical and mental well-being.
- Eat with Moderation: With tempting holiday treats all around, balance sweets with wholesome meals that include fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins.
- Mind Your Posture: Whether cooking, wrapping gifts, or working from home, being aware of your posture helps minimize back and neck pain.
Prioritizing your physical well-being helps you to be present and active in celebrating the holiday season with loved ones!
Here’s to a healthy, happy holiday season and a fantastic new year ahead!
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“Foundation Therapy is a top-notch facility! Everyone there knows you by name. They treat you like you are the only one there. They know what they are doing when it comes to your therapy needs as well. Went there for vestibular therapy (dizziness/balance). I am so much more confident with my balance after my therapy. All of the therapists, Stephen, Chris, and Kelli, treat you like family. The office staff, Ali, Sandra, and Maudie, are super helpful and friendly. I would recommend Foundation Therapy to anyone in need of physical therapy!”
— Kevin R.
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Join us in welcoming Madison as our new Patient Care Specialist!
We are thrilled to welcome Madison Cortez as our new Patient Care Specialist at Foundation Therapy! Starting on November 18th, Madison will join Ali and Sandra in the front office, working diligently to ensure every patient has the best possible physical therapy experience. A Bridgeport native, Madison enjoys spending time with her dog, Mia, as well as traveling, and making memories with friends and family. She’s passionate about brightening our patients’ days and is excited to support their journey toward recovery. Be sure to stop by and give her a warm welcome!
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Healthy Recipe:
Pumpkin Smoothie
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- 1 can (15 oz. size) pumpkin pie filling
- 3 cups whole milk (more if needed)
- 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt (up to 1 cup)
- A few dashes of ground cinnamon
- 4 cinnamon graham crackers, crushed