Réhabital
Balance & Fall Prevention for Seniors in Côte Saint-Luc
A fall is never 'just a fall'. After 65, it can lead to a fracture, a loss of confidence and fewer outings, which weakens you even more. The good news: balance can be trained at any age. At Réhabital in Côte Saint-Luc, on the Island of Montréal, Colin Teghen Tamuton, physiotherapist and OPPQ member, assesses your balance, strength and walking, then gives you a concrete program to stay steady and independent.
Book an AppointmentUnderstanding This Condition
Balance relies on three systems working together: vision, the inner ear and the sensors in your feet and joints. Muscles, especially those of the hips, thighs and ankles, then carry out the corrections. With age, inactivity, some medications, neuropathy, arthritis, reduced vision or vertigo, one or more of these systems weakens. Research shows that exercise programs combining balance and strength training substantially reduce the risk of falls in older adults living at home. That is exactly what we offer: an objective assessment using recognized tests (timed chair rise, single-leg stance, walking speed, Timed Up and Go), followed by progressive, safe exercises suited to your level that you can continue at home.
Common Symptoms
Common Causes
Loss of muscle strength
Leg muscle mass decreases with age and inactivity, making balance corrections slower.
Sensory changes
Reduced vision, neuropathy in the feet or inner-ear problems (positional vertigo) disturb balance information.
Pain and arthritis
A painful hip, knee or foot changes how you walk and reduces stability.
Medications
Some sleep, blood-pressure or mood medications can cause dizziness — review them with your doctor or pharmacist.
Environment
Loose rugs, poor lighting, stairs without a rail and unsuitable shoes increase risk at home.
Our Treatment Approach
After the assessment we build a three-part program. Strengthening targets the hips, thighs and ankles with simple exercises (chair rises, heel raises, side steps). Balance training progresses from most to least stable: feet together, tandem stance, single-leg stance, changes of direction, always safely next to a support. Functional walking works on speed, step length, stairs and getting up from the floor, a key skill if a fall happens. If positional vertigo is suspected, it is assessed and treated; if a medical cause is possible (medications, blood pressure, neuropathy), we refer you to your doctor. We also give practical tips to make your home safer.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
The first visit lasts about 60 minutes and includes the balance tests. Wear comfortable shoes and, if possible, bring a list of your medications. You'll leave with three to five exercises to do at home. Effective programs usually last several weeks, with one or two sessions a week at first, then more spaced-out follow-ups to keep progressing.
At-Home Self-Care Tips
- Do your balance exercises next to a sturdy counter
- Get up slowly from bed or a chair
- Remove small rugs and add a night light
- Wear closed shoes with non-slip soles
- Have your eyesight and medications reviewed every year
- Stay active: daily walking maintains balance
Prognosis & Recovery Timeline
Most older adults clearly improve their balance and strength tests within a few weeks of regular exercise. The benefit lasts as long as the exercises are continued. Even after a fall, it is almost always possible to regain confidence and independence.
When to See Us at Réhabital
Book if you are afraid of falling, have had a fall or near-fall, or your family notices your walking is changing. See a doctor or go to emergency first after a fall with a blow to the head, sudden dizziness, weakness or numbness on one side of the body, trouble speaking, loss of consciousness, or hip pain that prevents walking.
Why Réhabital Clinic
Ground-floor access in Cavendish Mall with no stairs and free parking; an OPPQ physiotherapist, an osteopath and massage therapists under one roof; evening and Sunday hours, convenient for family members who come along; private-insurance receipts. The 10% first-visit discount does not apply to physiotherapy.
Recommended Services for This Condition
Our Core Treatments in Côte Saint-Luc
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Why Choose Réhabital?
Frequently Asked Questions
Address
D4-5800 Cavendish Blvd
Côte Saint-Luc, QC H4W 2T5
Phone
(438) 842-3550Hours
Mon–Fri: 10AM–8PM
Sun: 10AM–4PM
Relieve Your Pain Today
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