Kristi Wambeke, PT, and Chelsey Ferguson PT, DP, offered a free “Balance and Fall Risk Screening” to community members, at Rock Valley Physical Therapy, 635 E. Lincolnway, Morrison, IL, on Thursday, November 29, 2018. An informative program began at 11:00 a.m.
Ferguson suggested specific ways to make the home less risky to residents. She explained that vision problems and medications can contribute to dizziness or balance issues. Both she and Wambeke conducted individual balance assessments until 12:30 p.m.
Wambeke, seated left, timed how quickly Jan Horberg could rise from a sitting position, without “pushing off” with her hands.
A second, timed assessment required participants to hold a full cup of water; rise from a seated position without “pushing off” with the free hand; walk a straight 5′ path and around a cone; return to the chair; turn around; sit without spilling the water.
Leo Sullivan is shown during the agility/balance timed test, assisted by Ferguson. This requires stepping one-foot-at-a-time into another quadrant, moving left-to-right, front-to-back, and diagonally and vice versa. Scottish step dancers use crossed swords and execute the maneuvers bouncing on tiptoe, to the bagpiper’s tune!
Humor aside, getting help as soon as one has an injury, pain, or strain is of the upmost importance. “Easier access to physical therapists has been shown to decrease overall healthcare costs and, in some cases, shorten the recovery for patients with orthopedic injuries,” Wambeke said.
As of August 2018, with the exception of Worker’s Compensation and Medicaid recipients, a physician’s referral is not required to seek physical therapy at the clinic. Prospective clients should, however, verify their insurance coverage for treatment. The therapists will notify a client’s healthcare provider within five days of beginning treatment.
“Physical therapists treat a variety of orthopedic conditions, ranging from low back, shoulder, and knee pain, to sprains and strains. Many [physical] therapists are specially trained to help patients with headaches, dizziness, balance issues, and chronic pain.” stated Wambeke.
Contact Rock Valley Physical Therapy for more information at 815-772-7274.
