The best way to prevent falls is to improve your strength and balance.  Kids, who are still fine-tuning their motor skills, slip or trip often.  But they pick themselves up, shake themselves off, maybe get a band-aid, and then they’re off and running again.  This gets harder to do as we age.  Falls are more likely to cause serious injury in older people.

Do your feet hurt?

It’s easier to fall when you are walking gingerly to avoid sore spots or minimize foot pain.

A chiropractor can assess your gait (the way you walk) and prescribe orthotics for your shoes if needed.

Laser therapy is typically successful in treating plantar fasciitis.  It can also help with arthritis, bone spurs, inflammation and acute injuries.

Help to prevent falls by improving your strength and balance.

Strengthening your leg muscles is a wise idea.  If you do lose your balance, a person with strong leg muscles will be less likely to fall.  Strong legs will stabilize you.  Any activity that uses your legs is good.  It’s important to find an activity you enjoy, so you will want to do it often.

Exercises to strengthen leg muscles can easily be done at home.  You can even do them while watching TV.

Here is a simple exercise to try:

While seated, straighten out one leg and lift it off the ground to comfortable height.  Hold for 10 seconds if you can. Put that leg down. Extend and lift the other leg. Repeat.

Brisk walking is an excellent activity to improve leg strength.  The only “equipment” you need is a pair of supportive shoes.

Dancing is another great workout for your legs.  You can make it a social event, or you can put on your favourite music and practice your steps at home in your rec room.

Finally, visit your chiropractor for regular maintenance care.  Chiropractic care will keep your musculo-skeletal system and nervous system operating at their best.  Contact Sheppard Chiropractic Centre at (506) 635-8182 or (506) 847-7172 to make your next appointment.  Or, if you’ve never been to see a chiropractor before, we welcome new patients.  Let us show you what chiropractic care can do for you.