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Fall prevention seminar features specialists

Joplin Globe - 9/25/2017

Sept. 25--GALENA, Kan. -- An older adult falls every second of every day in the United States, making falls the leading cause of injuries and deaths from injury among older Americans, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

On Thursday, three speakers will be examining a variety of topics related to falls, prevention and treatment in a bone health and falling risk prevention seminar open to the public from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Ortho Four States Center in Galena.

The event includes three keynote speakers who will examine a variety of topics related to falls, prevention and treatment.

Dr. J. Christopher Banwart will discuss osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, as well as the risk factors they both pose. Dr. Brian Ipsen will address stenosis and the effects of having stenosis on the back during falls. Physical therapist Al Siguenza will cover vertigo, balance, falls, treatment and prevention.

A question-and-answer session will be held with the speakers and certified physician assistant James Adams. The public will also have the opportunity to try videonystagmography goggles, which are used to test the inner ear, central motor functions and balance.

"We thought this was an excellent opportunity to give back to the community and have people who are experts in the field of these areas to tell them what's out there to help them," said Kurt Stork, physical therapist and director of rehabilitation services for Ortho Four States and Premier Surgical Institute.

Falls can be caused by an underlying problem like poor vision, diabetes, weakness, vertigo and inner ear problems, Stork said. Injuries due to falling could also lead to a cascading effect that can affect people's overall well-being.

"All of those statistics, it affects the quality of life, especially for our elderly population," Stork said. "If they fear falling, they limit their activities, limit their social engagements, and they're less likely to go out in the community. This results in further decline because now they're not getting out and they're becoming weaker, sometimes depressed, and they're socially isolated. It can be a spiral in the wrong direction."

Hors d'oeuvres and sandwiches will be provided during the presentation. For more information, call 417-206-7846.

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