Falls are a leading cause of injury among the elderly, resulting in hip fractures and other complications. Most falls are caused by environmental factors, such as slippery floors and obstacles, but falls can also be caused by balance problems. Balance problems cover a wide range of conditions from dizziness to faintness to lightheadedness. Therapy can also treat vestibular disorders which include vertigo and balance retraining.

Normal balance relies on muscle strength and flexibility and three systems of senses: visual, vestibular (found in the inner ear) and somatosensory (sensations from the skin, muscles, tendons and joints). When these systems aren’t functioning well, you may experience balance problems, which can lead to falls. As people age, changes can occur which weaken these senses, making the elderly more likely to suffer a fall.

Patients who have difficulty rising from a sitting position without using their hands to push off, who walk slowly or with support or have fallen in the past year are at the highest risk of falls.