Fight the Fall - September is Fall Prevention Awareness Month

National Fall Prevention Awareness Day is September 22, 2018. Poor balance could make people susceptible to a fall with subsequent injury. In addition, physical therapists will identify solutions that improve balance, flexibility and strength that can help older people prevent falls.

Almost 8 million American adults complain of chronic balance problems. A recent study from the Journal of Current Gerontology and Geriatrics Research reported that many older adults are not aware that they are at risk for falling due to preventable deficits in strength, balance and range-of-motion. It’s crucial to understand these risks because falls are increasingly common with age. They can have serious consequences such as fractures (most common fracture is the pelvis 'broken' hip) which can lead to complete loss of independence and an overall decline in health status.

According to the CDC, 33% of the US population fall each year and 25% of all hospital admissions are due to falls. Every 11 seconds an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall, and every 19 seconds an older adult dies from a fall. But it doesn’t have to be that way. That’s why Seacoast Spine & Sports Injuries Clinic decided it was important to join the fight against falls. September 22, 2018 is the first day of the Fall season and the day designated by the NCOA to help raise Americans’ awareness of preventable falls and injuries.

Contrary to popular belief, loss of balance, decreased muscular strength, and falling are not part of the natural process of aging. Inactivity is the number one factor involved in a decrease in balance and mobility. The majority of falls are preventable and something can be done to ensure that you stay safe and balanced as you enjoy your life.

The science behind balance includes three of our body's systems working together in order to maintain an upright position. These systems include the visual system (eyes), vestibular system (inner ear), and cell receptors in the joints of the lower legs and feet (nerves and muscles). If one or more of these systems is impaired then your balance is compromised. The visual system is responsible for determining where you are in relation to the environment around you, determining depth perception and providing peripheral vision. The vestibular system is composed of the inner ear and semi-circular canals. These canals contain fluid which allow our body to determine where our body is located in relation to the horizontal. This system can be thought of like the level tool used to ensure that a picture frame is straight when being hung on the wall. Trauma, degenerative changes, bacterial infections, and viruses can affect this system from working properly. The joint receptors in your legs and feet allow you to be aware of where your muscles are moving. In the aging and diabetic population the sensation in the legs and feet can be compromised and significantly decrease our positional awareness.

If you or someone you know is suffering from loss of balance and/or difficulty walking please get in touch with your general practitioner OR a local physical therapist who can assess balance and risk for falls.

Contact Dr. Hamel at drhamel@seacoastsportsinjuries.com with any questions, comments or concerns in relation to this topic OR future topics.