Fall Prevention and Staying Active
During Winter Weather
Brrr, it’s cold out there! With winter and icy weather comes safety risks, such as getting injured from a strain while shoveling (or slipping on ice as you walk in a parking lot!)
Having your balance assessed this season could help you to avoid fall-related injuries. Give Total Motion Physical Therapy a call today to schedule an appointment, so we can help you feel steady on your feet!
Our therapists are the balance experts in the field and want to make sure our patients lower their fall risk as much as possible.
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Now Hiring: Physical Therapist
Total Motion PT is looking for a motivated and compassionate Physical Therapist (PT) to join our growing team! We take pride in providing personalized, movement-based care that helps our patients get back to doing what they love.
Try This
Side Plank
- Lie on your side with your elbow directly under your shoulder and your legs stacked.
- Lift your hips off the ground, creating a straight line from your head to your feet.
- Hold this position while keeping your core engaged and hips level. Switch sides after each set.
- 3 Sets, 30-Second Hold (each side). (Materials needed: floor mat)
Staying Safe and Active In Winter
Between the limited daylight hours, chilly temperatures, and occasionally icy conditions outside, staying safe and healthy can be challenging. Anything you can do to keep active during the winter months is a step in the right direction!
Ice and snow are the biggest threats that winter poses, especially to older patients! Slipping on ice can result in nasty, painful falls. However, with preparation and planning, you can stay safe and active in the winter months. This may sometimes feel difficult to accomplish due to injuries and inclement weather, but knowing the proper steps to take can help you keep doing the things you enjoy no matter the conditions outside.
The most common injuries related to cold weather happen from falls on icy sidewalks, steps, driveways, and porches. Ideally, you will stay off the ice when possible. Walking on ice is extremely dangerous, regardless of how good your balance is. Do your best to keep your steps and walkways free of ice with sand, salt, or cat litter.
If you plan to run or walk on snowy, icy surfaces, attaching snow or ice spikes to your boots or running shoes will help you maintain traction to reduce the risk of falls. Be careful when wearing spikes on the pavement as they are designed to penetrate the ground and affect your balance.
How Can a Balance Expert Help Me Reduce My Fall Risk?
The physical therapists at Total Motion Physical Therapy are balance experts who can help you improve your balance and fight back against the risk of falling this winter.
Your therapist will perform a thorough physical examination to identify the source of your pain and/or injuries if they are present. Your mobility, strength, balance, and gait will be assessed as well to determine your fall risk. This information will help us create a program that includes targeted manual techniques, mobility work, strengthening, and any appropriate balance and gait techniques that can help keep you upright and on your feet this season!
See Real Results!
Thousands in the New River Valley Trust Total Motion with Their Recovery
From marathon runners to busy parents, our patients consistently share one thing: confidence in our care. Our team’s advanced training, personalized plans, and dedication to results have helped countless individuals overcome pain, regain strength, and return to doing what they love — faster than they expected.
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“Great environment & caring staff”
Highly recommend Brandon and the team here. Great environment and felt comfortable there. Thanks for the help.
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Bethany D.
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“Best PT Experience”
Very kind staff and helpful. I’ve been to several PT places over the years and they were the best.
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Marcy R.
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“Exceptional, Personalized Care”
Excellent attention to individualized care. Joey went above and beyond to make sure we were back to normal within weeks. Highly recommend!
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Meghan P.
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I’m hoping I won’t need physical therapy again anytime soon, but if I do, I know exactly where I’ll be going. Total Motion has three convenient locations, and the staff is incredibly friendly and helpful. The front desk team was always welcoming and made every visit a great experience, and…
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Destiny W.
What Should I Expect During Therapy?
The first thing you should know about therapy for balance is that this kind of therapy is not a “one size fits all” approach. Your program will be specific to your needs and wants and fit into your lifestyle.
Some of the interventions you can expect to experience at Total Motion Physical Therapy are:
Strengthening exercises
Gait training
Static & dynamic balance training
Endurance training
Contact Us Today For a Balance Assessment
Total Motion Physical Therapy wants our patients to feel safe and confident in their mobility and balance. Winter can be a difficult time for those with compromised balancing abilities; however, with the help of a physical therapist at our clinic, it doesn’t have to be!
Call us today to have your balance assessed this snowy season. We can determine if you are at risk for falls, show you how to prevent them, and address any pain or discomfort you may be having. The well-being of our patients is important to us, no matter what season we’re in!
Meet the Experts Behind Your Care
Our team of fellowship-trained and board-certified specialists brings unmatched experience to your recovery journey. Led by Dr. Ron Masri — the only FAAOMPT therapist in the New River Valley — we are committed to lifelong learning, clinical excellence, and personalized patient care.
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Dr. Nikolas Dimitry
PT, DPT, OCSDr. Nikolas Dimitry is from Chesapeake, Virginia. He earned his undergraduate degree in Biochemistry from Virginia Tech in 2016. He…
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Dr. Heath Hardiman
PT DPT, OCSDr. Heath Hardiman is a native of New Kent, Virginia. Heath received his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University…
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Dr. Rony Masri
PT, DPT, OCS, ATC, FAAOMPT, FOUNDERPresident and Founder of Total Motion Physical Therapy Dr. Ron Masri is a successful and highly-skilled physical therapist who has…
Get a Head Start on New Year’s Resolutions
Who said you had to wait until January to make healthy changes? While December is a busy time of year, it also offers that glorious week between Christmas and New Year’s Day when work is slow (if not non-existent). Why not use that time to consider how you might incorporate new health routines in the new year?
You could…
- Incorporate a few minutes of jogging on your walks.
- Try out a fitness class you usually can’t take because of work.
- Perfect a few new healthy recipes.
- Experiment with meditation.
The post-holiday slump is also a great time to schedule an appointment with the team at Total Motion Physical Therapy. We can help you resolve any lingering pain or help you plan out a new exercise program–just in time for the new year.
Recipe of the Month:
Strawberry Santas
Ingredients:
- 12 large strawberries
- 1 cup whipped cream cheese
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla
- Decorative red and black icing for the face.
Instructions:
- Prepare the strawberries by carefully washing them. Next, you’ll cut the strawberries into three pieces. Cut the stem off the strawberry so you will have a flat side to sit them down on. Then cut the berries in half with enough room on top for the top of the strawberry to be a Santa hat.
- Next, prepare the filling. In a small mixing bowl, mix together the cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla.
- Carefully put the cream cheese mixture into a piping bag.
- To assemble the strawberry Santas, put the bottom of the Santa on a plate. Pipe the cream cheese mixture on top of the strawberry, tall enough that you have room to draw the face.
- Add the Santa hat on top of the body and then use the piping bag to add the white top.
- Carefully use the decorative icing to draw the face.
- Serve immediately or store in the fridge until ready to enjoy.
