Take Extra Steps to Prevent Falls: The Moore Balance Brace
September’s Falls Prevention Awareness Month reminds us that falls are a serious and dangerous healthcare concern. Unfortunately, they’re common as well, especially among seniors.
With the potential to inflict injuries, loss of independence, and even death, falls present a serious problem but also a preventable one. This time around, Caring Podiatry will be discussing the Moore Balance Brace, a valuable tool that improves stability and reduces your risk of falls in more ways than one.
Foot Health and Preventing Falls
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in four adults aged 65 and older falls each year. These falls can result in fractures and other serious injuries, and for many, they can seem like an inevitable part of the aging process.
That, however, is far from the truth.
Instead of pretending falls are normal, it’s better to consider how we can prevent them! The solution begins, as it so often does, with your feet and ankles.
The feet play a crucial role in balance and stability. When the feet are not functioning properly, it can increase your risk of falling.
Conditions such as weak or chronically unstable ankles, poor foot alignment, and neuropathy can all contribute to instability.
Introducing the Moore Balance Brace!
The Moore Balance Brace is a custom-made ankle foot orthosis (AFO) designed to address the issues above. It works by:
Stabilizing the foot to prevent it from rolling inward or outward, which contributes to falls.
Reinforcing both the midfoot region AND the ankle, boosting your balance, and reducing your risk of ankle sprains.
Improving foot clearance, which helps to prevent tripping and stumbling.
Reducing or even eliminating “postural sway,” keeping you upright and steady.
Stimulating skin receptors that provide feedback to the brain that enhances balance and coordination.
Benefits of the MBB
Aside from its clinical effectiveness and ability to reduce your risk of falls, the Moore Balance Brace offers several benefits, including:
Lower weight design to ensure relative freedom of movement.
An easily portable nature that’s well suited for travel.
The ability to fit easily into most footwear, allowing safety and style to coexist comfortably!
The MBB works wonders when used in combination with our Comprehensive Fall Risk Protocol, which may include physical therapy, strength training, and annual foot exams and footwear evaluations. Interested? Get in touch and find out if it’s right for you!
Contact our Monroe Township (609-860-9111) or Neptune (732-455-8700) offices to make an appointment. Podiatrists Andrew Schmierer, Craig Shapero, and Mark Fillari will be happy to assist you with the warmth, compassion, and expertise Caring Podiatry is known for.