What to do after a fall
As Fall transitions into winter it made me think about just that subject….falling!
I, as well as many of my clients and friends, have experienced a jarring and frightening fall. While we hear a great deal about fall prevention, we don't hear much about recovering from a fall. Taking specific steps after falling can shorten and lessen the aftermath.
The aging process is usually blamed for people falling. While that certainly has some truth in it, especially if an individual becomes sedentary and weak in the aging process, it is not the sole reason. Falls happen to people of all ages, and some falls are merely random, often quirky accidents.
No matter your age, my goal is to educate you about the potential consequences of a fall and what to do to prevent ongoing problems post-fall. I want to get you thinking, "if I fall, I need to get appropriate treatment to prevent potential long-lasting problems like chronic pain."
The Hidden Consequences of a Fall:
Even if there are no apparent significant injuries, a fall is a trauma to one’s mind, body, and spirit!
With or without apparent, severe injury, falls are a total body injury and can heavily impact one’s quality of life. After an individual falls, they consciously become fearful of falling again. This fear can lead to tentative walking patterns, lack of coordination and balance when descending stairs, and a general sense of vulnerability. In the elderly, a fall can result in some physical decline, depression, social isolation, and feelings of helplessness.
The vibration of a fall can resonate up the spine and throughout one's entire body causing muscles to spasm, and the all-important fascial layer of tissue to "shrink" in reaction to the trauma. Untreated, this can contribute to adaptive movement patterns and possible prolonged pain.
What to do when you fall:
Assess as best you can for serious injury.
Don't jump up and say, "oh, I'm fine," and go about your business because you are embarrassed.
Pause, breathe, look at your surroundings, and get oriented.
If someone is near, ask for support in getting up and getting mobile.
Begin the cellular restoration practices I recommend as soon as possible, especially hydration, protein washing, and de-weighting.
Scale back your general activity level for 48 hours.
If you have hit your head, be sure to have a neurologic evaluation as soon as possible.
Make an appointment with a professional who understands this fall concept and who can treat and unwind your soft tissue system before an adaptive pattern embeds.
Continue working with that professional until you "feel like yourself again."
What to do when a loved one falls:
Stay calm and reassuring even if you are scared.
Keep your voice soft and measured (your reaction and anxiety will cause further distress to your loved one).
If there are apparent serious injuries, call 911.
If there are no severe injuries, gently and carefully assist/guide the individual in getting up slowly (note any odd movement patterns).
Have the individual sit for a bit to get their bearings. Remember, a person who has fallen will be in mild shock and not necessarily in tune with themselves at that moment.
In my practice, over the years, I have seen and treated the problems that can arise after an unevaluated and untreated fall. Generally, I recommend clients to come in right away for a soft tissue unwinding and rebalancing. However, if virtual consultations are the only option, I am able to walk clients through an unwinding process for immediate relief. One session with a professional who knows how to assess and unwind the body's soft tissue system will go a long way toward preventing problems down the line.
I hope in this season of giving, you might consider the information I have offered here as a gift to all of you. Please take falls seriously and give yourself the care and attention you will need.
Please remember that I offer 15-minute complimentary consultations so if you might have any questions regarding this subject or have fallen and need some direction, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.
Many Blessings,
