Blog Post

Falls

Lynne Cawthorne, Physiotherapist • 12 October 2021

Fact: 1 in 3 older adults fall every year often resulting in injuries that cause loss of independence and mobility as well as a loss in confidence

After the age of 35 bone density loss slowly increases making bones weaker. This is part of the natural aging process. Bone density loss is faster in women for several years following the menopause so older ladies are more at risk of falling. Bone is a living tissue that can be improved through specific exercises and our physiotherapists can advise you on activities to suit your need.

The good news is that getting older does not automatically mean you are going to fall – improving your activity levels can help dramatically.

What are the risk factors to falling?

-smoking,

-drinking more than 3 units a day

-being inactive.

How can The Village Clinic Physio team help?

-We can help providing a well-designed exercise programme, tailored to yourself, which involves strength, balance, and functional exercises, designed to reduce your chance of falling.

-We can help you get more active: weight bearing exercises such as walking / dance can help strengthen your bones (weight bearing exercises are any exercise in which you are supporting your own body weight).

-For those less active there are starter exercises that you can do just with the use of a chair. These is no need for expensive equipment!

Lynne’s top tips to prevent falls:

· Avoid rugs and slippers without backs

· Have good lighting on your stairs and in your bedroom

· Have your eyesight checked regularly

· Have your hearing checked regularly – problems with ears can affect balance

· Wear sensible, well fitting, flat shoes

· Try not to carry too much

· Keep hydrated – if you are dehydrated this can make you feel lightheaded

· Get regular medication reviews with your GP surgery

· Eat healthily and ensure your diet includes enough calcium and vitamin D

· Do regular weight bearing exercises, e.g., walking, gardening

REMEMBER FALLS CAN BE PREVENTED

If you have any questions about how to increase your activity levels and increase your confidence to get moving again, please do contact physiotherapy at the Village Clinic 01242 673507 mail@villageclinic.co.uk.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/falls/

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What is Therapeutic Laser?

by Lucy Donnelly • 15 October 2024

What is therapeutic laser? And how does it work? Therapeutic laser uses the power of light to reduce pain, inflammation and swelling as well as to encourage your body’s own healing mechanisms. It’s great for treating a huge range of problems including tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, wounds, bursitis, muscle tears and injuries. Laser can be used on both chronic (long term) and acute (recent) conditions. My 2 most recent successes that have totally stunned me as to how well they responded were a chronic back pain giving sciatic pain in the leg and an acute knee anterior cruciate ligament rupture. Both very different conditions where we used different layered settings, but both responded incredibly well and only needed up to 3 treatments. We have had our laser machine for 18 months now and I've only had 2 patients wish to stop their treatments due to limited benefits... most are keen to have the full course of 6 treatments or more. Laser therapy involves directing light energy into inflamed or damaged tissue to accelerate the body's natural healing process. The laser is placed in direct contact with the skin which enables specific wavelengths of light to penetrate the tissue and interact with molecules within the cells to cause several biochemical effects. One of the most important effects of laser therapy is encouraging blood flow into the area being treated. This means the cells there have a better supply of oxygen and nutrients and that waste products and swelling can be flushed out. Laser helps to reduce pain by slowing down the speed of the pain messages in nerves and it reduces inflammation by lowering the number of cells promoting the inflammatory process in the area treated. After laser treatment muscles are better able to relax and movement can become easier as a result. The treatment is painless, non-invasive and offers a drug free alternative to anti-inflammatories, pain killers and steroid injections. If you’re interested in how laser treatment could help you, please get in touch for more information 01242 673507 or mail@villageclinic.co.uk