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Certified McKenzie Clinics in NY & NJ

Todd Edelson, PT
Todd Edelson, PT, DPT, Dip. MDT
 
As we discussed in our May, 2018 newsletter, a leading health concern for people over the age of 65 is falling, which is often related to balance problems and dizziness. Each year, 33% of adults over 65 who live at home fall. The consequences of falls can be significant; between 12% and 67% of these adults who fracture a hip die within one year (Kannus et al, 1999). As a result, major scientific efforts are devoted to determining the causes of falling in older adults in an attempt to reduce this significant health hazard.

We are observing yet another related health hazard at another point on the age spectrum: millennials (and younger), who are distracted (mostly) by cell phone use.

Those aged roughly 50 to 60 are positioned in the middle - 'sandwiched' - to be tending injured, older AND younger family members  at the same time. 

We have long said about spine pain, 'if you can predict it, you can prevent it.' Can the same apply here? Read my staff physical therapist Jeff Flyer's report on distracted walking below.

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Best regards,
 
Todd Edelson, PT, DPT, Dip. MDT
Montclair Physical Therapy - Certified McKenzie Clinics
In NY:  212-684-9098
IN NJ:  973-433-0772


Thanks to Jeff Flyer, PT,Dip. MDT (right) for this month's research article on distracted walking.
DISTRACTED WALKING: RISKS & REMEDIES
Jeff Flyer, PT, Dip. MDT

With the now ubiquitous use of cell phones for texting or conversing, cell phone use has added to the numerous other previous distractions of pedestrians (listening to music, snacking, conversing with a walking companion, or reading, to name some).  It is clear that there are ample reasons a pedestrian has his or her attention drawn away from safe walking, and in fact, the effects of distracted walking are similar to those experienced in distracted driving

There is a positive correlation between distraction and unsafe walking behavior.(1)  Additionally, when studied during 2004 - 2010, mobile phone-related injuries among pedestrians increased relative to total pedestrian injuries, and paralleled the increase in injuries for drivers, and in 2010 exceeded those for drivers. (2) 

In an effort to reduce the risk of falling and related injury, physical therapy treatment routinely addresses the physical problems (i.e., general loss of strength or mobility, etc.) which can contribute to impaired balance and safety, but a greater awareness of the dangers of distracted walking should also help in fall prevention and related injury.  

Just as physical therapy treatment using the McKenzie Method seeks to empower the patient with the knowledge to be able to self-treat or independently manage a condition, given the appropriate knowledge, there is also an independent role that people can and must have in an effort to improve their walking safety and avoid falls and injury related to distracted walking.

Most people already recognize some behaviors than can be modified to enhance pedestrian safety and prevent mishaps while walking, such as crossing at designated crossing areas and obeying traffic signals. (1) Beyond these common sense measures, it appears that sensibly refraining from frequent or extensive use electronic devices, cell phones in particular, while walking, can improve walking safety and prevent falls and injuries.

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