What is balance & fall prevention?
Falls are the leading cause of injury in adults over 65 — and they're not an inevitable part of aging. Physical therapy that targets the specific systems involved in balance (vestibular, vision, proprioception, lower-extremity strength, reaction time) can dramatically reduce fall risk. We work with patients of all ability levels, from those who've never fallen but are losing confidence, to those recovering after a fall. Medicare covers PT for fall risk under most conditions.
Common conditions we treat
- Recent falls or near-falls
- Loss of confidence walking or climbing stairs
- Generalized weakness or deconditioning after illness
- Balance problems following total joint replacement
- Parkinson's disease and other neurological conditions
- Post-stroke balance and gait issues
- Vestibular contributions to imbalance
- Recovering after extended bedrest or hospitalization
What to expect
- Comprehensive balance and gait assessment using validated tests (Berg Balance, Timed Up & Go, gait speed)
- Lower-extremity strength testing — weakness is the most common driver of falls
- Targeted program: strength training, balance challenges, walking work, and (when relevant) vestibular components
- Home safety review — many falls happen for environmental reasons that are easy to fix
- Most patients see meaningful improvement in 6–12 weeks; we make sure gains last with a maintenance program
Insurance and payment
We accept most major insurance plans:
- Medicare
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
- Aetna
- UnitedHealthcare
- Tricare
- Self-pay
Call (202) 964-0323 or use the contact form and we'll verify your benefits before your first visit.