Balance & Fall-Risk Rehab: Regaining Confidence on Their Feet
Katherine Reardon, DPT | Living Well Center for Integrative Health – Essex Junction, VT
Patient: 70-year-old Essex Junction resident
Primary concern: Worsening balance and fear of falling, especially on uneven ground
The Challenge
Increasing unsteadiness during daily activities and neighborhood walks led to route avoidance and growing fear of falling.
Assessment & Integrated Plan
Detailed assessment of gait, balance, lower-extremity strength, and functional tasks. The progressive plan focused on:
Gait training (speed, turns, obstacle negotiation)
Strength and balance exercises shown to reduce fall risk
Fall-prevention education (home safety, footwear, recovery strategies)
Supportive chiropractic care for spinal mobility and posture
Outcomes That Mattered
Feeling steadier on grass, gravel, and sloped sidewalks
Improved confidence stepping off curbs and turning quickly
Less stiffness in the spine and trunk while walking
Resumed regular neighborhood walks, including mild hills and uneven ground
Why This Worked
Targeted gait, strength, and balance training plus education and chiropractic support reduced fall risk and restored confidence in community mobility.
