Are You at Risk, Even if You've Never Fallen?

Written by Jill King | September 5, 2025

Most people don’t know they’re at risk of falling—until it’s too late. September is Balance Awareness Month, and FYZICAL clinics nationwide are hosting "Fight the Fall" events to raise awareness, offer free screenings, and help people spot the early signs of imbalance, before a fall happens.

September Is Balance Awareness Month—Here’s Why It Matters

Most people don’t think twice about balance—until something feels off. A moment of dizziness. A slight stumble. A fear of falling that wasn’t there before.

September marks Balance Awareness Week (Sept 14-20) and National Falls Prevention Awareness Month, and FYZICAL clinics across the country are using this time to do what they do best: educate, screen, and empower people before a fall ever happens.

Whether it’s free community events, fall risk screenings, or hands-on demos of life-changing tools like FYZICAL’s Safety Overhead Support (SOS) System, our teams are going beyond the clinic walls to spotlight fall risk and show what real prevention looks like.

When it comes to falls, prevention isn’t just possible. It’s essential.

Because balance isn’t something you lose with age—it’s something you can protect, improve, and reclaim with the proper care.

Are You at Risk, Even If You've Never Fallen?

Most people think of falls as something that happens—a slip on the stairs, a misstep on a sidewalk, something to brush off with a laugh, and maybe a bruise.

But here’s what many people don’t know: the body often warns you long before a fall ever happens.

That quick moment of dizziness when you turn your head. Feeling unsteady in the dark. Grabbing the wall just to walk down the hallway. These little habits might seem harmless, but they can be early signs your balance is slipping.

And no, it’s not just a “getting older” thing. Fall risk doesn’t wait for a milestone birthday. It builds slowly, silently, and can affect anyone—at any age.

Balance is at the heart of what we do at FYZICAL all year long. Every September, in honor of National Falls Prevention Awareness Month, FYZICAL clinics nationwide unite to Fight the Fall and spotlight the importance of early intervention, balance therapy, and education—because knowing your risk is the first step to protecting your health and independence.

The Hidden Risk of Falling (and the Stats You Need to Know)

Falls don’t just happen by accident. They’re often the first symptom of a deeper issue, especially in adults over 60. Consider this:

1 in 4 adults over 65 will fall this year.
Falls are the #1 cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries among older adults.
After a fall, the risk of a second fall doubles.
Falls are one of the top three leading causes of preventable injury-related death.

And yet, most falls are preventable with the proper care.

Is Your Body Trying to Warn You?

Fall risk doesn’t always start with a fall. It often begins with small, easy-to-miss changes that many people chalk up to “just getting older.” But those subtle shifts? They matter.

Here are some common red flags to watch for:

Feeling dizzy or unsteady—especially when turning your head or standing up quickly
Grabbing furniture or walls to steady yourself
Pausing at curbs or stairs because you’re unsure
Taking shorter steps or starting to shuffle when you walk
A history of falls—even just one
Vision, hearing, or inner ear changes
Weakness in your legs, hips, or core
Skipping social outings or exercise because you're afraid of falling

If any of these sound familiar, your body may be warning you that your balance is off. And the earlier you catch it, the easier it is to fix.

How Balance Works (and Why It Sometimes Fails)

We’ve all lost our footing before—maybe you tripped over the dog, slipped on a wet floor, or stood up too fast and felt a little off. Most of the time, you recover quickly. But when those moments become more frequent, they could be signs of a deeper issue with your balance system.

So, what actually causes a fall?

Your balance depends on three major systems working together:

Your eyes help you see your surroundings and orient yourself.
Your muscles and joints send signals to your brain about where your body is in space (called proprioception or joint position sense).
Your inner ear (the vestibular system) senses motion, head position, and balance.

Your brain takes in signals from your eyes, ears, and muscles to figure out what’s happening around you and then tells your body how to stay balanced.

But when one of those systems is off, or your muscles are too weak to react quickly, your balance gets thrown off. That’s how something as simple as stepping off a curb or turning your head too fast can lead to a fall.

Sometimes, your body can correct the imbalance. Other times, especially if you have an undiagnosed issue like Musculoskeletal Balance Disorder (MSBD®) or sensory dysfunction, a fall happens before you even know you are at risk.

The good news? These issues are often treatable, and many falls can be prevented once their causes are understood.

The FYZICAL Difference

At FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers, balance isn’t just something we treat—it’s what we specialize in. Whether you’re bouncing back from a fall, living with dizziness or vertigo, or want to stay steady and safe, it all starts with a thorough evaluation tailored to you.

Your First Visit

Balance Assessment: We’ll look at how you walk and move to spot any issues with strength, posture, or coordination that could be throwing you off balance.

Vestibular Exam: We test how well your eyes, ears, and brain work together to keep you steady and oriented.

Strength & Flexibility Check: We assess your muscles and joints to find any weaknesses or stiffness that might be affecting your stability.
Goal-Setting Conversation: We’ll talk about what matters most to you—whether it’s walking without fear, staying active, or regaining independence—and build your therapy plan around those goals.

What You Can Expect from Balance Therapy at FYZICAL

Gait & Balance Retraining: Improve how you walk and move to feel steady, confident, and in control.
Strength and Stability Exercises: Build muscle, improve posture, and boost the body’s ability to react and recover.
Safety Overhead Support (SOS) System: Move freely without fear of falling, thanks to our harness system designed for safety and confidence.
Vestibular Therapy: Target dizziness, vertigo, or inner ear issues that may affect your balance.
At-Home Exercises & Education: Get simple, practical tools to keep progressing between sessions and maintain results long-term.

Real Results. Real Confidence. Real Life.

Every journey with balance therapy is unique, but one thing is consistent: progress is possible. Whether you're aiming for a complete recovery or building strength to stay steady and independent, patients can see life-changing improvements.

Greater balance and stability
Less dizziness and fear of falling
Stronger legs and better posture
More confidence and independence
Peace of mind—for themselves and their loved ones

You don’t have to wait for a fall to make a change. If something feels off, now is the time to listen to your body. Spotting the signs early can mean the difference between a setback and a comeback. At FYZICAL, we’ll help you stay steady, stay strong, and stay you—so you can keep doing what you love.

Find your nearest FYZICAL at https://www.fyzical.com/locations

Let’s Fight the Fall—before it happens.

Sources:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Older Adult Falls Data.” Older Adult Fall Prevention, 2024, www.cdc.gov/falls/data-research/index.html.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Facts about Falls.” Older Adult Fall Prevention, 2024, www.cdc.gov/falls/data-research/facts-stats/index.html.

“Top 10 Preventable Injuries.” Injury Facts, injuryfacts.nsc.org/all-injuries/deaths-by-demographics/top-10-preventable-injuries/. https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/all-injuries/deaths-by-demographics/top-10-preventable-injuries/