Fall Prevention Exercises - Ask Doctor Jo

Fall prevention, or reducing the risk of a fall, is very important to prevent further injuries. Often our balance is the main reason for a fall. You can have trouble with your balance for many different reasons including injuries, inner ear issues like vertigo, and even general weakness. See Doctor Jo’s blog post about this at: http://www.askdoctorjo.com/fall-prevention-exercises

This video will show you some exercises to help prevent falls. So you might want to get near something to hold onto for balance. You can also use a cane for balance if you need to.

To start off, you will walk forwards, and then backwards with head movements. Turn your head side to side while walking. You can turn your head slowly, or a little faster to make it harder. Then look up and down while you are walking.

The next exercise is going to be like you are walking on a tight rope. We call this tandem gait. You might call it the drunk test. Put one foot right in front of the other. Try to look straight ahead if you can. If that is too difficult, you can put them close together, but not right in front of the other. If this becomes easy to do, then you can move your head from side to side, or even up and down while you are walking.

Now you will do some standing balance exercises. The first exercise is putting your feet as close together as you can. This is called the Romberg stance. If that is easy, move your head from side to side, and up and down. The next standing balance exercise is tandem stance. This is with one foot directly in front of the other like you are standing on a tight rope. Follow the same progression as above. Make sure to switch your feet.

Then you will do some hip strengthening exercises. Start off with a hip abduction/adduction (side to side). Try not to turn your foot out when kicking out to the side. This will change the muscle you are trying to work. Then still keeping the knee locked out, perform hip flexion/extension (front to back) exercise. Lock out your knee and try to keep it straight the whole time. Pulling your toes up or into dorsiflexion will help keep your knee straight. Bring your foot up as high as you can without leaning back, and then bring it back as far as you can without leaning forward. Start off with 10 on each side, and then work your way up.

Finally, you will do heel raises. Stand with your feet about shoulder width apart, come up on your toes as high as you can. Try not to lean forward, but bring your body straight up and slowly come back down. Push off as much as you can so your heel leaves the ground. Start off with ten and work your way up to 20-25. If that becomes easy, you can do one leg at a time.

Related Videos:

Improve Your Balance with Simple Exercises:
https://youtu.be/Nc62Ju2kUAc?list=PLPS8D21t0eO_aKBiXrRDEvPM3hRzXUJQd

When, Why & How to Use a Walking Cane or Quad Cane:
https://youtu.be/ZWFfstzrCNs?list=PLPS8D21t0eO_aKBiXrRDEvPM3hRzXUJQd

===========================================

SUBSCRIBE for More Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=askdoctorjo

=======================================

Doctor Jo is a Doctor of Physical Therapy.
http://www.AskDoctorJo.com
http://www.facebook.com/AskDoctorJo
http://www.pinterest.com/AskDoctorJo
https://www.instagram.com/AskDoctorJo
http://www.twitter.com/AskDoctorJo
http://plus.google.com/+AskDoctorJo

=======================================

Fall Prevention Exercises:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v= iNYj1HqmuxA

DISCLAIMER: This content (the video, description, links, and comments) is not medical advice or a treatment plan and is intended for general education and demonstration purposes only. This content should not be used to self-diagnose or self-treat any health, medical, or physical condition. Don’t use this content to avoid going to your own healthcare professional or to replace the advice they give you. Consult with your healthcare professional before doing anything contained in this content. You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Ask Doctor Jo, LLC and its officers for any and all losses, injuries, or damages resulting from any and all claims that arise from your use or misuse of this content. Ask Doctor Jo, LLC makes no representations about the accuracy or suitability of this content. Use of this content is at your sole risk.