According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI), followed by  automobile accidents, being struck in the head and assaults. Furthermore, falls cause half of the TBIs among children aged 0 to 14 years and cause more than 60 percent of all TBIs among adults aged 65 years and older.
Symptoms of TBIs can include profound confusion, nausea, slurred speech, extremity weakness or numbness, loss of coordination, convulsions or seizures, coma and death. Even concussions are included within the realm of traumatic brain injuries, and can have lasting effects that linger for years if not treated and managed correctly.
“The best prevention to brain injuries is maintaining mobility while simultaneously improving balance. Knowing how to minimize injury when falling is an essential prevention strategy,” said Teresa Malone, PT and owner of Advanced Therapy and Sports Medicine in Great Bend, “Strength, balance, confidence and competence all play crucial roles in keeping people mobile, and are especially important in the wake of a fall resulting in brain injuries.”
Advanced prevention exists in baseline testing, especially for athletes, which helps identify individuals at risk and assess balance and strength, which varies from person to person.
Malone finds that creating a fitness routine that increases strength, balance and coordination that is highly tailored to each individual dramatically reduces brain injuries caused by falls.
For more information, visit AdvancedTherapy GB.com or call 620-792-7868.