Live life to it’s fullest with chiropractic care.
Each year, health care costs associated with falls far outweighs that over motor vehicle injuries. 1 in 3 people over 65 will have a fall every year. 1 in 3 of those will suffer a hip fracture, and 24% will die within one year1. The good news is that up to 80% are preventable.
Falls often occur due to a decline in nervous system function with advancing age. This can lead to a loss of balance or poor control of the limbs, which dramatically increases the risk of falling. In the past ten years, researchers have objectively demonstrated that chiropractic adjustments can change aspects of nervous system function including muscle reflexes, reaction time and the speed at which the brain processes information! 2
What can you do to prevent falls?
Avoid:
- Poorly-fitting shoes
- Walking on slippery or uneven surfaces or in dim-lit areas
- Alcohol and cigarette smoking
- Clothing that drags around feet (baggy pants or dressing gowns)
Take Action & Be ProActive
Balance exercises can help prevent falls
- Get your nervous system checked by a chiropractor
- Do balance exercises
- Be active: weights, walking, social sport
- Assess your living area: remove clutter from walkways
- Install support rails in bathrooms and stairs
- Be aware of your surroundings
- Take your time when going from lying to sitting to standing
- Maintain a proper diet – calcium, omega 3&6, B vitamins
- Get 10-15 minutes of sunshine per day for vitamin D
- Wear correct fitting shoes
- Have your foot biomechanics assessed by a chiropractor or podiatrist
- Visit your optometrist to get your eyes checked
- Visit your GP to get your medications monitored
- Don’t be too proud or embarrassed to ask for help!