I’VE FALLEN AND I CAN’T GET UP: ONE SKILL WE SHOULD NEVER LOSE
By Dr. Adam Carter, DPT, CF-L2, CSCS
One of my side jobs is working with elderly patients in a home health setting. And for the most part, one of the biggest reasons PT is needed is because they've fallen and more times than not were not able to get up. THEN with further investigation, it turns out they can barely get up off the couch and can only do so by using both arms to push. Now if you're not picking up what I'm putting down, this is a problem. A study came through my inbox recently about how being able to get up off the floor is another predictor of all-cause mortality. All-cause mortality is basically anything that can kill you. Whether it be a heart attack or a bear attack, the ability to get up off the floor without using your hands will increase the chances you survive. This is no easy task for many people. The biggest reason for this is lack of practice. Think about the last time you’ve tried to get up off the ground without using your hands. I bet a lot of you may be thinking “I can’t even remember the last time I was even on the ground.” And that is the point exactly! We need to be getting on and off the floor at least one time per day. Check out this video and try some of the techniques to see how they work for you. If you have any issues or questions give us a shout!
Keep it Moving,
AC
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Recommended Reading:
https://www.discovermagazine.com/health/simple-sitting-test-predicts-how-long-youll-live
https://efsma.eu/images/pdf/publications/EurJ-Prev_Cardiol_2014.pdf