Stretch Physiotherapy Comments On New AGILE Guidelines

Online, October 29, 2012 (Newswire.com) - AGILE, a CSP-endorsed chartered society for physiotherapists working with older people, has updated its 'Guidelines for the rehabilitative management of elderly people who have fallen' published as a result of new research in the field.

The new guidelines have been designed to persuade commissioners to fund evidence-based measures to prevent falls among the elderly. The advice within their recent publication, titled 'Guidelines for the physiotherapy management of older people at risk of falling', is a welcome update to the guidelines previously published in 1998 and supplements the CSP and AGILE practice standards.

Stretch owner Eleanor Searle explains how these new guidelines will benefit clinicians, who are keen to use their knowledge of physiotherapy to help older people avoid falls.

"It's crucial that physiotherapists are issued with evidence-based guidelines, enabling them to tailor exercise programmes that effectively meet the needs of people who are at risk of falls or who have fallen. The guidelines help physios to design rehabilitation programmes for those struggling with reduced balance and mobility, which is becoming increasingly important as UK residents are living longer."

"It's particularly interesting that these findings suggest the importance of delivering balance exercises at a high 'dose'," she goes on to say. In fact, AGILE suggests that physios work on falls rehabilitation programmes with their patients twice a week for six months, to improve their ability to withstand threats to their balance.

Based in Essex, Stretch Physiotherapy & Pilates is an established physiotherapy practice, boasting a wide range of musculoskeletal physiotherapy expertise in their well equipped private clinic. The team also offer sports massage in Chelmsford. More information can be found at http://www.stretchphysio.co.uk.