Neurological Physiotherapy
Falls Prevention & Balance
Falls Prevention & Balance Physiotherapy Adelaide
Falls are one of the leading causes of injury, loss of independence and reduced confidence in older adults and people living with neurological conditions. Whether you’ve experienced one fall or several, it’s important to understand why you’re falling and what can be done to reduce your risk.
At Advanced Neuro Rehab, our Neurological Physiotherapists provide comprehensive falls risk assessments and evidence-based balance rehabilitation to help you move more safely, regain confidence and stay independent.
Why Do Falls Happen?
Falls are rarely caused by one single factor. They usually occur due to a combination of changes affecting your balance, strength, mobility, vision, sensation or medical conditions.
People living with neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, stroke, Multiple Sclerosis or peripheral neuropathy are often at a higher risk of falling, but falls can affect anyone.
A thorough assessment helps identify the factors contributing to your falls so that treatment can be tailored specifically to your needs.
Common Risk Factors for Falls
Many different factors can increase your risk of falling, including:
- Poor balance
- Muscle weakness
- Slower reaction times
- Difficulty walking
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Reduced sensation in the feet or legs (peripheral neuropathy)
- Reduced vision or wearing multifocal glasses
- Certain medications or taking multiple medications
- Low blood pressure when standing (postural hypotension)
- Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders
- Stroke
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Arthritis or joint replacements
- Memory or cognitive changes
- Poor footwear
- Uneven ground, stairs or slippery surfaces
- Poor lighting around the home
Identifying these risk factors allows us to develop a rehabilitation program that addresses your specific needs.
Fear of Falling
Many people lose confidence after experiencing a fall.
It’s common to become worried about walking outside, using stairs or participating in activities you previously enjoyed. Unfortunately, avoiding movement can lead to reduced strength, poorer balance and even greater falls risk over time.
Physiotherapy helps break this cycle by gradually rebuilding confidence in a safe and supportive environment.
How Can Physiotherapy Help?
Our Neurological Physiotherapists complete a comprehensive falls risk assessment, looking at the many systems involved in maintaining balance and safe mobility.
This may include assessment of:
- Balance
- Walking pattern (gait)
- Muscle strength
- Joint flexibility
- Coordination
- Vestibular (inner ear) function
- Vision and eye movements
- Sensation
- Functional mobility
- Cognitive dual-tasking
- Transfers such as getting in and out of a chair or bed
Following your assessment, we develop an individualised treatment program based on your goals and level of function.
Treatment may include:
- Progressive balance retraining
- Strength and conditioning exercises
- Walking and gait retraining
- Functional mobility practice
- Graded exposure to activities you’ve lost confidence doing
- Cardiovascular exercise
- Falls prevention education
- Home exercise programs
- Prescription of appropriate walking aids or orthotics where required
Depending on your needs, rehabilitation may continue through one-on-one physiotherapy, home exercise programs or our balance and neurological rehabilitation classes.
Why Choose Advanced Neuro Rehab?
Falls prevention is a core area of neurological physiotherapy.
Our experienced Neurological Physiotherapists regularly work with people living with Parkinson’s disease, stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, vestibular disorders, peripheral neuropathy and other neurological conditions that affect balance and mobility.
We use evidence-based assessment tools and rehabilitation programs to improve balance, increase confidence and help you continue doing the activities that matter most to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I see a physiotherapist after a fall?
Yes. Even if you weren’t seriously injured, a physiotherapy assessment can help identify why you fell and reduce your risk of future falls.
Can physiotherapy improve my balance?
Yes. Balance can often be improved through targeted exercises that strengthen muscles, improve coordination, challenge the balance system and increase confidence with movement.
I’m afraid of falling again. Can physiotherapy help?
Absolutely. Fear of falling is very common after a fall. Physiotherapy combines balance training, strengthening and gradual exposure to activities to help rebuild confidence safely.
What conditions increase my risk of falls?
Many conditions can affect balance, including Parkinson’s disease, stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, peripheral neuropathy, vestibular disorders, arthritis and reduced vision. Certain medications and low blood pressure can also increase falls risk.
Do I need a walking aid?
Not everyone does. If a walking aid would improve your safety and independence, your physiotherapist can recommend the most appropriate option and ensure it is fitted correctly.
Can exercise really reduce my risk of falling?
Yes. Research consistently shows that appropriately prescribed strength and balance exercises are one of the most effective ways to reduce falls risk and maintain independence as we age.
