The therapy of a tendency to fall is carried out depending on the cause. Furthermore, clarification of the exact cause of the fall and elimination of the same.
Referral to the emergency department is required:
- If a fall leads to severe pain
- When there is an obvious or immobilizing injury.
General measures
- Implement measures to prevent falls (fall prevention): see below Fall propensity/prevention.
- Physical activity / sports activity (see below sports medicine) – here, in addition to the strengthening of muscles, it comes essentially to mobility and training of the sense of balance.
- Review of permanent medication due topossible effect on the existing disease.
Sports medicine
- Endurance training (cardio training) and strength training (muscle training) – for prevention.
- Balance and equilibrium training: e.g. exercises such as climbing stairs, standing on one leg while brushing teeth; especially suitable is Tai Chi Chuan – also known as shadow boxing.
- Preparation of a fitness or training plan with suitable sports disciplines (eg aerobics) on the basis of a medical check (health check or athlete check) depending on the cause of the tendency to fall.
- The training program should last at least 10 weeks!
- For detailed information on sports medicine, please contact us.
Physical therapy (including physiotherapy)
- Physiotherapy – including the preparation of a detailed exercise plan.
Complementary treatment methods
- Whole-body vibration exercise (“WBV training”); two systems are available for this purpose:
- Side-alternating plate systems and
- Vertically oscillating plate systems or possibility for dual vibration (vertical and/or side-alternating).
- Tai Chi – represents meditation and body control; improves flexibility of muscles and joints and promotes body balance; seniors suffer 43% fewer falls in the short term (incidence rate IRR 0.57; 95 percent confidence interval 0.46 to 0.70); in the long term, the risk of falls was reduced by 13% (IRR = 0.87; 0.77-0.98).
