Bellefontaine Physical Therapy

Bellefontaine Physical Therapy has developed an evidence-based, individualized fall prevention program called Beyond Balance in order to decrease fall related injuries in our community.  Fall related injuries are detrimental yet changeable events that everyone needs to consider, especially as we grow older.

Why this program is important

• "Studies have shown that approximately one third of community-dwelling persons over the age of 65 yrs experience one or more falls a year" (Means, Rodell, O'Sullivan, 2005). 

• Among older adults, falls are the leading cause of injury deaths and the most common cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital admissions for trauma” (CDC, 2006).

• Many people who fall, even those who are not injured, develop a fear of falling. This fear may cause them to limit their activities, leading to reduced mobility and physical fitness, and increasing their actual risk of falling (Vellas et al. 1997).

• “Of those who fall, 20% to 30% suffer moderate to severe injuries such as hip fractures or head traumas that reduce mobility and independence, and increase the risk of premature death” (CDC, 2006).

• Research data indicates that only about one third of men aged 50 and older are still alive 2 years after suffering a low-trauma hip fracture (Pande, 2006).
              

Program Details

This evidence based program is both challenging and fun. The program can be designed for a wide variety of individuals.  It will consist of a combination of the following aspects depending on patient presentation:

• Entrance examination & evaluation- will consist of an evaluation by a licensed physical therapist. The therapist will evaluate your risk of falling, balance, mobility, strength, endurance, ability to perform functional activities, and many other important areas that relate to your balance.

• Therapeutic exercise rehabilitation program- this will be a personalized, comprehensive exercise program that will utilize Bellefontaine Physical Therapy’s state-of-the-art equipment and exercise technology.

• A randomized controlled trial performed on this type of therapeutic exercise program revealed that patients completing the program had much higher functional levels and 87% of those who completed the program reported no falls in the 6 months following the exercise program.  On the other hand, only 34.5% of individuals not in the exercise program reported no falls 6 during the months prior to study (Means, Rodell, O' Sullivan, 2005)

• Fear of falling intervention- fear of falling can cause excessive activity restrictions, functional decline, decreased mental/social abilities, and depression among those who experience an overwhelming fear of falling.  This program offers these individuals an intervention to help decrease these detrimental effects.

• Manual therapy techniques- some individuals suffer from balance disturbances caused by dizziness and vestibular problems that can be corrected by advanced manual therapy techniques that our physical therapist can perform.

• Home safety evaluation/recommendation- our physical therapist provide information to patients in order to help you find and fix those areas in your home that could contribute to a serious fall.

• Completion examination & evaluation- we will perform a comprehensive exam and give you detailed results of your progress and current functioning level compared to your results that were complied at your initial exam/eval.

If you’re at serious risk for falling or simply would like to enter a program designed to improve your balance, strength, endurance, mobility, and functional capabilities don’t hesitate to contact us. You can also call us for more information or to initiate your registration for this program at 937-592-1625.

References:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [online]. (2006) [cited 2007 Jan 15]. Available from URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars.

Means KM, Rodell DE, & O'Sullivan PS. (2005). Balance, mobility, and falls among community-dwelling elderly persons: effects of a rehabilitation exercise program. American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation / Association of Academic Physiatrists. 84(4), 238-50.

Pande I, Scott DL, O’Neill TW, et al. (2006) Quality of life, morbidity, and mortality after low trauma hip fracture in men. Ann Rheum Dis. 65:87-92.

Vellas BJ, Wayne SJ, Romero LJ, Baumgartner RN, Garry PJ. (1997) Fear of falling and restriction of mobility in elderly fallers. Age and Ageing 26:189–193.