Balance Archives

12Dec 2022 by Patrick Donovan

What is the Senior Fitness Program?

Are you nervous about having a fall, having trouble playing on the ground with your grandchildren, or having enough energy to go on your next vacation?Are you going to the gym, but not getting stronger or more flexible? Don't wait for the decline to set in. Don't wait for the fall to happen, or when you absolutely need knee surgery. Be the best version of yourself with the Senior Fitness Program at Heather Lane Physical Therapy. This program empowers you to take control of your own health to avoid falls and build the strength you need. This 90-minute session looks at ALL the muscles and joints that limit you. We will look at different measures of function related to your goals. Whether it's walking for weight loss, an osteoporosis…

21Jan 2021 by Brigitte B

Hunchback Starting? 3 Physical Therapy Videos Can Help Set Your Posture Straight

back, Balance, Exercise, Health content, Prevention

Do you have hyperkyphosis? You probably know it as hunchback. If your spine is curving more than it has in the past, you're probably chalking it up to aging. But who wants to look old? Let's tackle that hunchback posture with some physical therapy before it gets worse. Treating and preventing hunchback posture If the mirror tells you that you may be suffering from hyperkyphosis, a trained physical therapist has the tools to evaluate your condition and may refer you to a specialist. Medication can ease pain from the hunchback posture, and in some cases surgery may be recommended. At Heather Lane Physical Therapy, following the evaluation we design and implement either a treatment regimen or a preventative strategy—whichever is appropriate for your specific needs. In the three videos below, Heather…

06Jan 2021 by Brigitte B

How Your Muscles, Joints and Bones Affect Your Balance

Balance, Health content, knowledge, Prevention

When it comes to staying upright, it’s important that your body's physical components - particularly your muscles, joints and bones - are in good shape. If you can keep these healthy, you have a much lower chance of falling. Muscles and joints Your muscles contract and expand to move your body through space. If they can’t do that well, it's easy for you to take a fall. To move the body, your muscles tug on your joints and make you bend. Other structures involved in this process are tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. Muscles cross joints, and when the muscles contract, the joint moves. If the muscles are not sufficiently lengthened - that is, sufficiently flexible - the joint will not move well. It may move with a jerky motion,…

17Jun 2020 by Brigitte B

Medications Can Cause Falls in Older Adults – Manage Yours to Avoid Taking a Tumble!

Balance, Health content, Prevention

Did you know that a number of medications commonly given to older adults can make it more likely that you will fall? While some of these medications are necessary no matter what the side effects, it’s important to know about your risk of falling, and how to minimize that risk, before you decide to take the medication. Why would medicine cause me to fall? A medication can increase the risk for falls because of the medication’s desired effect or because of its side effects. For instance, your medicine might: Cause drowsiness or make you feel tired Change the way your heart beats Cause low blood sugar Lower your bone density Change the way your nerve endings perceive pressure and pain Lowering your bone density has the compounded risk of making…

22Jan 2020 by Brigitte B

5 Simple Ways (Not Exercises!) to Prevent Falls When You’re an Older Adult

Balance, Health content

Nearly 30 million falls are recorded every year among seniors, resulting in more than 27,000 deaths. Unfortunately, fall death rates are on the rise, increasing 30 percent between 2007 and 2016. But falling doesn't have to be an accepted of aging. You may already be doing balance exercises and making sure you get regular physical activity. But did you know that there are other things you could be doing that do not involve exercise but still can significantly decrease your risk of falling? Here are our top five. 1Start a fall prevention plan with your doctor The first step in preventing falls is scheduling an appointment with your physician. Go over your medications with the doctor to determine whether any of them might be increasing your risk of falling. Also…

18Sep 2019 by Brigitte B

Is Active Aging Realistic? 4 Ways Physical Therapy Can Help You Live an Active Life

Balance, Exercise, Health content, knowledge, Treatment

Active aging is every senior’s dream come true. It’s a promise of leading a complete and engaged life, when the effects of aging don’t stop you from living to the fullest. But is active aging realistic? Yes! Contrary to popular belief, getting older doesn't have to set you on a downward spiral into declining mental and physical health. Many signs regarded as a "normal" part of aging can be minimized or even prevented. Physical therapy is one tool for helping to turn back the clock and make you feel like your more youthful self again. When we break down the typical decline, we can manage the pieces one by one: 1) mobility, 2) endurance and 3) strength, all contributing to 4) independence. 1. Mobility About 35 percent of people over…

04Sep 2019 by Brigitte B

Early Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease? Physical Therapy Can Help

Balance, Exercise, Health content

Every little slip of memory seems frightening, especially as we get older. How scared should you be of dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)? Alzheimer's is a progressive disorder that causes brain cell degeneration and death. It is the leading cause of dementia, which is marked by memory loss and a decline in cognitive, behavioral and social skills. Early signs of Alzheimer’s Disease If you are experiencing some of the early symptoms of AD, you may be having difficulty with: Balance. You may find yourself catching a toe as you walk or taking an extra step to keep yourself from falling.Mobility. Getting in and out of a chair or tub may become difficult. Mobility issues, too, increase the risk of falling.Activities of daily living (ADL). You may need more time for…

28Aug 2019 by Brigitte B

Losing Your Balance? Stay on Your Feet as You Age!

Balance, Exercise, Health content

It's common for seniors to be afraid of a fall, and for good reason. While a fall can be harmless, many falls and loss of balance result in injuries that can severely limit your independence or even lead to death, especially as you get older. Fear of falling carries its own consequences, however. The National Council on Aging (NCOA) reports that seniors who are afraid of falling might limit their activities or social interactions. This can lead to depression and social isolation, which might actually increase your risk of falling. So what can you do to prevent falls while still maintaining your active lifestyle? How can you live in less fear of a serious fall? Working to improve your balance is a smart place to start. Balance is a key piece…

17May 2018 by Patrick Donovan

Improve Your Balance, Improve Your Life

Arthritis, Balance, knowledge, Prevention

Balance As A Vital Sign Our annual doctor’s check-up is comprehensive - blood pressure, weight, cholesterol levels - are often measured to determine your health profile. But how is your balance measured? Your ability to maintain balance under various situations should also be considered in your health profile. Unfortunately, one out of three older people falls each year, but less than half tell their doctor. Falls can diminish your ability to lead an active and independent life. Research has identified many conditions that contribute to falling. These are called risk factors. The more risk factors you have, the greater your risk. Fall risk is multifactorial but individualized to each older adult. Lets take a look at contributing factors you can change, factors you cannot change, and how a Physical Therapist…