Simple test to stop a deadly FALL?
Folks, today I have some SOBERING news about your health…
And it has nothing to do with common, age-related health issues like heart disease, arthritis, or even stroke.
It’s about FALLS.
About one third of older people who live at home fall at least ONCE A YEAR…
And, falls are the LEADING CAUSE of accidental death and the 7th leading cause of all-cause death in people age 65 or over.
And once a person has had a fall… it’s MORE likely to happen again.
If this has happened to you (or someone you love), I’ve got a trick to help lessen those dangerous odds.
And best of all, all you need is a simple index card!
Scientists at Staffordshire University have developed a SIMPLE clinical test that can assess the lower limb strength of seniors to predict their risk of falls.
And the test requires ZERO fancy equipment… or expensive trips to a doctor. All you need is an index card and your big toe!
They call it the ”enhanced paper grip test” which involves someone pulling a small card from underneath your foot while gripping it with your big toe.
If a card can be easily pulled away from the grip of the big toe, it could be a sign that you’re susceptible to life-altering falls.
You may be asking… how in the world does this predict if I’m going to fall?!
Remember, our feet are the cornerstones of stability and movement. It’s where the ‘rubber meets the road.’
And big toe grip (also called Hallux grip force) has been strongly linked to the strength of ALL muscle groups of the foot and ankle and to the ability to maintain balance.
So, if you’re having issues with your balance and stability, it’s probably time to talk to your doctor about taking this quick and easy test.
It could just be the thing that saves you from future falls.
To preventing falls,
Sarah Reagan
Sources:
ScienceDaily. “Simple test helps to predict and prevent falls.” https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/07/200720093242.htm
Rubenstein, Laurence. “Falls in Older People.” https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/older-people%e2%80%99s-health-issues/falls-in-older-people/falls-in-older-people/?autoredirectid=765
