A slip-and-fall injury can happen to anyone at any time. They often occur in the workplace and can have serious health consequences. While recovering from a slip-and-fall injury, consult Quantum Physical Therapy & Chiropractic Care for professional physical therapy for injuries in New York.
According to the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI), falls are the leading cause of emergency room trips, with over 8 million visits annually. The prevalence of these incidents makes appropriate treatment critical. Research by the University of Athens adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that physical therapy is key to recovery after a fall injury and may prevent future falls.
Understanding the types of slip-and-fall injuries makes it easier to find appropriate treatment.
Common Types of Slip-and-Fall Injury
Slip-and-fall injuries vary in severity and type. The type of injury will dictate the most appropriate therapy after immediate stabilization or surgical treatment.
These injuries can be broken down into a few categories:
Sprains and Strains
Sprains and strains are on the milder end of the fall injury spectrum. Sprains are injuries to a ligament, typically near a joint such as the wrist or elbow. Strains are injuries to a tendon that connects to muscle or bone, often in the back, thigh, or neck.
These injuries may occur in the workplace while transporting heavy loads or navigating uneven terrain. Both cause sudden, sharp pain.
Physical therapy may help stabilize joints after a sprain or strain, making it easier to get moving again without pain or stiffness. Ice or heat exposure and electrical therapies may also help with swelling and mobility.
Fractures
Fractures are a more serious type of fall injury. The Journal of Biomechanics highlights how young adults can better avoid fractures during a fall by side-stepping and using reflexive arm movements.
Such accidents can occur when falling from a standing height or when an object falls on you.
After any necessary surgery or casting, gradually rebuilding strength and mobility through physical therapy is critical to the healing process. Hip fractures and other injuries to key joints are particularly difficult to treat and may benefit most from physiotherapy.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), falls cause over 60% of traumatic brain injury hospitalizations in adults older than 65. The NIH also reports that around half of these hospitalizations result in death.
Because the risk of falling is so severe (particularly in older adults), part of the recovery process should focus on preventing future falls.
These injuries can also occur in serious workplace incidents. Using heavy machinery and working on uneven terrain may increase the risk of a traumatic brain injury fall.
Treatment methods can incorporate resistance training and task-oriented practice. These approaches aim to restore function and mobility. Often, the focus is on helping the patient walk safely and perform daily tasks with more independence.
The Efficacy of Physical Therapy for Injury Recovery
Physical therapy involves routine stretches and exercises that aid recovery after an injury. It is often complemented with manual therapy, which involves hands-on adjustments and tissue manipulation (through massage or electrical therapies).
This treatment is designed to improve strength, flexibility, and mobility. It may help with pain management and regaining function in the affected area.
After a slip-and-fall injury, physical therapy is an important part of recovery. It encourages movement after a period of immobility due to a strain or fracture.
For workplace injuries, physical therapy can restore the functional movements required for employment. This may be particularly impactful for jobs requiring manual labor. Improperly healed injuries can make standing for long periods, bending, grasping objects, and carrying heavy loads difficult.
In instances of traumatic brain injury, physical therapy may help restore balance and motor function. Research published in Physiotherapy Theory and Practice indicates significant improvements in gait and postural stability.
These improvements may help prevent future falls, as steadier gaits allow for better balance. Some physical therapy in older populations may also target reflexive risk mitigation movements in case of a fall.
Physiotherapy should be combined with regular, varied exercise for the best results, according to Nature Reviews Endocrinology. The same research also highlights the benefits of vibration treatments in boosting strength and balance.
It appears that a well-rounded recovery plan should include some form of physical therapy. Regaining strength and mobility is critical after a fall. Preventing secondary falls is also critical in older adults especially.
Implementing these therapies early on may make a significant difference in recovery.
Find Timely Treatment With Quantum Physical Therapy & Chiropractic Care
The importance of timely physical therapy after injury can’t be understated. Consistent treatment leads to significantly better functional outcomes and fewer complications in certain injuries, per the International Journal of Biological & Medical Research.
Consult Quantum Physical Therapy & Chiropractic Care for a suitable physical therapist in New York.
Our doctors accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Same-day appointments may be available.
Get started with physical therapy that may alleviate daily pain today. Learn more by calling the nearest New York office location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Patients are often curious about the effects of physical therapy treatments. Below are the most common questions we hear from those seeking New York physical therapy providers.
What Is the Role of Physical Therapy in Fall Prevention?
The role of physical therapy in fall prevention is to improve strength, gait, and balance. In older populations, it should be combined with a consistent exercise routine to best prevent a slip-and-fall injury.
How Does Physical Therapy Help With Injuries?
Physical therapy helps with injuries by focusing on pain relief and improved function. Through exercises, stretches, and manual tissue manipulation, this treatment encourages blood flow and tissue regeneration, promoting the body’s natural healing processes in pursuit of recovery.
Does Physical Therapy Help With Range of Motion?
Yes, physical therapy helps with range of motion. Special stretches and exercises strengthen ligaments, tendons, and muscles to improve flexibility. Manual therapy reduces calcification and breaks up scar tissue to make movement easier.