Falls can be a serious problem, especially for older adults. They can lead to fractures, head injuries, and other serious complications. One way to prevent falls is to identify warning signs of poor mobility and take action to address them.
Whether it was one of your new year’s resolutions to get healthy or you’re just looking to avoid injury, it’s helpful to learn the warning signs of poor mobility and find ways to improve it and reduce the risk of falling.
Problems with Balance
Balance problems can be caused by a variety of factors, such as inner ear disorders, neurological conditions, and medications. Some warning signs of balance problems include: feeling unsteady on your feet, stumbling or tripping frequently, and having trouble getting up from a sitting or lying position. To improve your balance, ask your chiropractor to recommend exercises that strengthen your core muscles and improve your coordination.
Joint Stiffness
Moving around and maintaining your balance can be difficult if you have joint stiffness. Joint stiffness can make it hard to move and may be caused by arthritis, poor posture, and/or muscle tightness. A chiropractor can perform joint mobilization or adjustments, use heat or cold therapy, and recommend exercises that stretch and strengthen your muscles to improve your joint stiffness.
Weakness in the Lower Body
Weakness in the lower body can make it difficult to walk, climb stairs, and maintain your balance. Common causes of weakness include age-related muscle loss, a sedentary lifestyle, and medical conditions such as osteoporosis or Parkinson’s disease. If you’d like to improve your lower-body strength to avoid falls, your chiropractor can recommend exercises that target your leg muscles, such as squats, lunges, and leg presses.
Vision Problems
Vision problems can also affect your ability to see obstacles in your path to avoid tripping or falling. Some common vision problems in older adults include cataracts, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration. Be sure to schedule regular eye exams and get corrective lenses if needed to increase stability while walking.
Medication Side Effects
While this won’t apply to everyone, some medications can cause dizziness, drowsiness, and other side effects that affect your balance and mobility. If you’re experiencing side effects from your medications, talk to your doctor about possible alternatives.
Improve Alignment, Restore Mobility
Tips to restore mobility post-car crash
Preventing falls is important for maintaining your overall health, especially as you age or as you recover from a car crash injury. If you’re experiencing any of these warning signs of poor mobility, talk to your chiropractor about tips to restore mobility and improve your balance, strength, and coordination. By taking action to improve your mobility, you can reduce your risk of falls (and, thus, injuries) and maintain your independence.
Contact the mobility experts at Sea Change Wellness Chiropractic to schedule an appointment and get started on a personalized care plan.
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