By love-89.com At the lively “2024 Senior Healthy Living Expo” held at the Chinese Cultural Service Center in Los Angeles, professional physical therapist Emily Brown-Lee from USC Arcadia Hospital engaged the audience in exercises aimed at preventing falls among seniors.
In an interactive session, Brown-Lee highlighted concerning statistics: 70% of falls occur in moments of urgency, with 61% taking place at home. She emphasized the importance of being cautious during urgent situations, such as rushing to the bathroom.
Brown-Lee pointed out that pelvic floor dysfunction is a significant contributor to falls, affecting 77% of individuals. Symptoms of this condition include urinary leakage, difficulty urinating, pain, gastrointestinal issues, and pelvic organ prolapse. She encouraged anyone facing these challenges to consult a healthcare professional promptly. Notably, feelings of pressure or downward movement when standing for long periods can indicate pelvic organ descent, an issue that isn’t limited to women—men can also experience these problems.
To combat these issues, Brown-Lee recommended exercising the pelvic floor muscles and diaphragm. She suggested deep breathing as an effective exercise: inhale to expand the ribcage and, while exhaling, engage the pelvic muscles upward, practicing this 20 times a day.
Additionally, she stressed the importance of regular bowel movements, explaining that constipation increases abdominal pressure and can affect bladder control. Maintaining a well-functioning digestive system is crucial, as it positively impacts bladder management. She advised that fluid intake should be adjusted based on body weight—specifically, to drink 50 ounces of liquid for every 100 pounds of body weight.
Imagining the pelvis as a supportive hammock, she noted that it’s essential to strengthen the muscles in the legs and lower back while managing body weight. This can be achieved through targeted exercises for the glutes and abdominal muscles, aiming for at least five bowel movements a week, practicing deep breathing, and performing Kegel exercises.
The physical therapy team at USC Arcadia Hospital employs therapeutic principles, including pelvic muscle training and electrical stimulation, to create tailored treatment plans aimed at muscle recovery.
After her presentation, Brown-Lee took a moment to pose with a lucky audience member who won a gift card, wrapping up a successful session focused on health and safety for seniors.