Steadier on your feet, more confident at home: falls prevention physiotherapy across Hampshire.
A fall, or the fear of one, can quickly shrink somebody's world. Our physiotherapists specialise in balance rehabilitation at home, where most falls actually happen, so the strategies we teach are the ones you will use every day.
Balance relies on leg strength, joint sense, vision and the inner ear. When any of these decline, unsteadiness follows, but balance is trainable at any age. Structured strength and balance exercise is the single most effective way to reduce falls, and it works best when practised in the environment you live in.
Falls are rarely bad luck. Leg strength, balance reactions, eyesight, blood pressure, medication side-effects, footwear and the home itself each play a part, and most falls involve two or three at once. That is good news: several contributing causes means several things we can fix.
Our assessment works through the lot (strength, balance, walking pattern, dizziness, footwear, lighting, rugs and rails) and turns it into one practical plan, liaising with your GP where medication or blood pressure need a look.
After a fall, sometimes after a near-miss, many people quietly shrink their world: no more stairs, no more walks. It feels safer, but doing less makes legs weaker and balance duller, which makes the next fall more likely. Fear is doing the opposite of what it promises.
We rebuild in the other direction: strength and balance work that is genuinely challenging but properly supervised, on the routes and surfaces you actually use, until confidence catches back up with ability.
Half the harm in a fall comes from the time spent on the floor afterwards. Practising how to get up, or how to stay warm, comfortable and summon help when you cannot, turns the worst-case scenario into a manageable event, and removes much of the dread that feeds the fear cycle.
We teach and rehearse it safely, and advise on alarms and phone placement so help is always within reach.
It can genuinely be reduced. Strength and balance training is one of the best-evidenced interventions in the whole of healthcare for older adults: the right programme, done consistently, cuts falls substantially at any age.
Most people feel steadier within six to eight weeks, with measurable change on balance tests before that. The full benefit builds over months, which is why we make the programme sustainable rather than heroic.
Only if it genuinely helps. An aid is a tool, and often a temporary one: the right aid, used well, makes you safer. We advise honestly, fit it properly, and work towards needing less support where that is realistic.
Yes. Every first visit includes a practical eye over lighting, rugs, stairs, rails, bathroom and footwear. Small changes are often as valuable as the exercises.
No. Repeat fallers have the most to gain. A thorough assessment usually finds specific, fixable causes, and we involve family so the plan works between visits too.
A relaxed but thorough conversation about how things started and what you want to get back to, followed by a physical assessment. You will leave with a clear explanation, a plan and your first exercises, and we will agree how often we should visit.
Charlie has been fantastic after my hip replacement, just can't recommend him enough. He was very patient with me while encouraging me with new exercises, and has really helped my confidence to move forward. I've made progress much quicker than I thought I would and that's all thanks to Charlie.
Emily is a lovely, engaging, patient and knowledgeable physiotherapist. Her time with my husband during his acute stroke recovery phase has been invaluable. Emily researched and adapted her sessions and exercises to my husband's specific requests and needs. Thank you Emily :-)
I had my first appointment with Charlie last month after coming out of hospital with 5 vertebral fractures. Barely able to walk or do anything for myself. Now 7 weeks later I'm able to walk unaided and do everything to look after myself.
This year my long term orthopaedic conditions and my vestibular migraine have been particularly troublesome. But thanks to Charlie's professional guidance my mobility is greatly improved and I am feeling much more confident when out and about.
After being let down by the NHS I was delighted to find South Coast Home Physiotherapy and it was a real bonus that they come to the home. Emily is skilled, helpful, friendly and solutions focused, providing the 1-1 support my daughter needs.
Professional, reliable and caring. The support from Charlie, our physio, has been invaluable.
Cannot praise them enough! Comprehensive and professional treatment plans that inspire you.
Enormously helpful advice and encouragement. I couldn't recommend more highly.
With South Coast Home Physiotherapy you get ongoing support to stay mobile and independent in daily life. Every session is planned around you and aims to:
Whether you need a one-off assessment or regular physiotherapy to keep you feeling your best, our friendly, experienced team is here to help.
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