Symptoms
- History of falls
- Unsteady gait
- Fear of falling
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Visual impairment
- Muscle weakness in legs
Common causes
- Muscle weakness and deconditioning
- Balance impairments
- Medication side effects
- Vision problems
- Environmental hazards
- Neurological conditions
How physiotherapy helps
Comprehensive fall risk assessment followed by individualised programmes including strength and balance training, gait training, vision referral, medication review coordination, and home safety assessment with modification recommendations.
Exercises your physiotherapist may give you
- Tandem standing and walking
- Single-leg balance (with support)
- Heel-to-toe walking
- Sit-to-stand practice
- Calf raises and mini squats
- Step-ups and side-stepping
Please note: start these exercises only after an assessment, and stop if pain increases. Your physiotherapist will choose the right exercises, number of repetitions and progression for you.
Guide written by the physiotherapists of CAPT – Centre for Advanced Physiotherapy, MVM Educational Trust. For more reading, search MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine).