As individuals advance in age, the risk of falling starts to become a regular concern. An average of one in four adults over 65 suffers from a fall every year. Around twenty percent of falling accidents result in serious injury. However, experiencing one fall increases the risk of future falls significantly. The most common injuries sustained include:
- Hip fracture
- Head injury
These injuries usually necessitate hospitalization. Therefore minimizing the risks is important for increasing/enhancing an individual's quality of life and help minimize the financial burdens that can come with these types of accidents.
Risk Factors for Falling
Various factors can determine an increased risk of falling. If there are two or more at the same time, the risk goes up significantly. These factors include:
- Poor or improper walking gait mechanics
- Poor balance
- Vision impairment
- Low endurance
- Weakened muscle strength
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Blood pressure issues like hypotension
- Dizziness from certain movements like lying down to sitting/standing
- Medication side effects that cause brain fog, dizziness, sleepiness, etc
- Poor health/underlying conditions
- Anxiety and/or fear of falling
Reducing The Risk/s
There are simple ways to reduce risk while optimizing the body's health and vitality. These include:
- Discussing health concerns with a doctor and/or chiropractor
- Review medications with doctor or pharmacist, specifically those that cause sleepiness or dizziness
- Exercise regimen
- Balance exercises
- Core strengthening exercises
- A physical therapist or chiropractor can assess the home for safety and possible tripping hazards
- Regular vision check-ups at least every two years
Spinal Health
Restoring balance to the body will make the biggest difference in increasing overall health. However, pain, stiffness, and poor health can make getting started a difficult challenge. With the right chiropractic and physical therapy team, getting started does not have to be as challenging, with the transition being made as easily and as smooth as possible.
An essential building block for overall optimal health begins with spinal alignment. When the spine is misaligned it can lead to poor nerve circulation/energy. This slows down and interferes with the body's functions. This is often manifested with poor balance, weakness, and pain. Chiropractic spinal alignment addresses whole-body health. A chiropractic practitioner is specialized in non-invasively and systematically restoring not only the alignment of the spine but the entire body.
Chiropractic Health
Find a chiropractor and talk to them about any health concerns, including falls. A customized chiropractic adjustment treatment plan will be developed along with a fitness and stretching regimen, and dietary adjustments will significantly optimize health and help prevent falls.
Slip and Fall Injury Treatment
Dr. Alex Jimenez’s Blog Post Disclaimer
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate and support directly or indirectly our clinical scope of practice.*
Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico*
References
Hawk, Cheryl et al. “Pilot study of the effect of a limited and extended course of chiropractic care on balance, chronic pain, and dizziness in older adults.” Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics vol. 32,6 (2009): 438-47. doi:10.1016/j.jmpt.2009.06.008
