Falls are a leading cause of injury, especially among older adults — and folks with arthritis are especially at risk. Fortunately, most falls are preventable with exercises that improve muscle strength and balance.
7 Fall Prevention Exercises for People With Arthritis
Everyone’s fallen at one point or another and been able to get right back up. So it may come as a surprise that falls are a growing and significant public health problem because they can cause injuries with long-lasting consequences — anything from knee damage and hip fractures to traumatic brain injury — especially as we get older.
Sound alarmist? Consider this: According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Every second of every day an older adult (65+) suffers a fall in the U.S., making falls the leading cause of death and injury in this age group.”
And people with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are especially at risk because those conditions often lead to weakening of the muscles that assist with balance and stability, notes physical therapist and sports medicine consultant John Gallucci Jr.
Read the Complete Article at EVERYDAY HEALTH.
Fall prevention is essential for people with arthritis, and it's never too late to start working on it. These seven fall prevention exercises will help you improve your balance and coordination, increase your flexibility, and reduce the risk of falls. Contact us to talk to a physical therapist at JAG Physical Therapy to create a personalized exercise program that meets your specific needs and goals.
Learn More About Physical Therapy from JAG PT: