Physical Therapy Can Help You Recover From A Fall
A fall can be a serious event for any person. However, for an elderly person, the effects of a fall can be critical, leaving them with serious injuries. If you have recently been injured in a fall, physical therapy can help heal your injuries and assist you with moving forward with your life. Plus, you can make a few changes around your home to reduce the likelihood of falling there again.
Physical Therapy Offers Total Recovery
One of the factors that makes physical therapy so effective is the fact that it follows a multi-faceted approach. Unlike some traditional forms of treatment, such as medication, therapy uses a number of different methods to not only heal your injuries, but also improve your strength and agility. The first part of this process generally begins with strengthening your muscles. The stronger your muscles are, the more resilient they are. More importantly, stronger muscles can heal faster. This can make your recovery period faster.
Lastly, muscle strengthening can also help minimize pain, which will help you avoid discomfort. Once your injuries begin entering the healing stage, improving balance is typically the next phase. Balance is important because it helps you prevent a future fall. Falls occur for a number of reasons, but they are often attributed to someone losing their balance. Heel raises, single leg standing and weighted ball passes are just some of the balance exercises used to help you reach your goal.
Prevention Tips
If you have recently fallen, treating your injuries should be your first goal. However, your next goal should be to prevent a future fall. Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to help prevent a fall in your home. Begin this process by clearing any obstructions. For example, a large ottoman in the middle of the floor might look decorative, but it could also be a hazard.
Either find a more neutral place to put it, such as against a wall, or remove it from the space. Second, upgrade to nonskid rugs as a slippery rug could be a catalyst for a fall. It's also important to ensure there is proper lighting throughout your home as a dimly lit room can prevent you from recognizing any hazards in your path. Lastly, invest in handrails and other safety measures on stairwells and in slippery-prone areas like the bathroom.
Don't let a fall keep you down. Physical therapy can help you recover and move forward with your life. Make sure you are following up your recovery by practicing prevention safety in your home.
For more information, contact a local company like Hillcrest Nursing Center.
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