A fall can shake your confidence as well as cause injury. If you have fallen or feel unsteady, tell a healthcare professional. An assessment can look at possible causes and whether physiotherapy may help.
What should happen after a fall?
Seek urgent help after a serious fall or if you cannot get up safely. Head injury, severe pain or a suspected broken bone needs medical assessment. Do not try to force someone to stand if doing so may worsen an injury; obtain emergency assistance when needed.
Why might balance change?
A fall can have more than one contributing factor. Health conditions, medicines and difficulties with balance or movement may play a part. Tell your clinician when the fall happened, what you were doing, whether you felt dizzy and whether you have had previous falls.
What can physiotherapy involve?
A physiotherapist may ask about walking, everyday activities and the situations in which you feel unsteady. Depending on the assessment, they can discuss suitable balance and strength exercises and a gradual plan. The starting point should fit your health, ability and confidence.
Making everyday activities safer
Discuss footwear, lighting, obstacles at home and any difficulty getting around with your healthcare team. Ask whether medicines or other health issues should be reviewed. If an exercise feels unsafe or causes concerning symptoms, stop and ask for advice before continuing.
Preparing for an appointment
Bring a list of prescribed and non-prescribed medicines and any walking aid you normally use. Write down recent falls or near misses, including where they happened and how you felt beforehand. If you avoid activities because you are worried about falling, say so. The team can discuss goals that matter to your daily routine.
Frequently asked questions
Should I mention a fall if I was not injured?
Yes. Even without an obvious injury, a fall is useful information for an assessment.
Can physiotherapy prevent every fall?
No plan can prevent every fall. A clinician can assess risk and discuss steps suited to you.
Do I need to exercise through pain?
No. Ask your physiotherapist to adjust the plan if an activity is painful or feels unsafe.
What if I cannot get up after a fall?
Call for help and seek urgent assistance rather than forcing yourself up.
Related reading
Further reading
Read about Geriatric Physiotherapy or contact the team about appointments.
This article provides general information and does not replace an individual clinical assessment.