A fall is defined as an unintentional event in which a person comes to rest on the ground, floor, or lower level. Falls are the second leading cause of accidental injury deaths globally and the primary cause of injury in adults over 65. In older adults, fall risk is multifactorial: intrinsic factors include muscle weakness (sarcopenia), balance impairment, gait abnormalities, cognitive decline, visual impairment, orthostatic hypotension, and polypharmacy (particularly sedatives, antihypertensives, and diuretics).

What lifestyle changes can help with falls?

Structured balance and strength exercise is the most impactful lifestyle intervention. Home hazard reduction (removing trip hazards, improving lighting, installing grab rails) reduces extrinsic risk. Footwear assessment — avoiding worn soles and backless shoes — is often overlooked. Medication review by a doctor or pharmacist is recommended for those on four or more regular medications. Staying active maintains muscle strength and proprioception.

What integrative approaches support falls?

Multifactorial fall prevention programmes have the strongest evidence, addressing balance training, medication review, home hazard assessment, and vision correction. Exercise — particularly balance and strength training (e.g., Otago programme, tai chi) — is the most consistently effective single intervention. NICE guidelines recommend structured multifactorial risk assessment for all older adults who have fallen. Vitamin D supplementation is recommended where deficiency exists. Hip protectors reduce fracture risk from falls in high-risk settings.

When should I seek professional support for falls?

Seek medical assessment following any fall in an older adult, particularly where injury has occurred or the fall was unexplained. Falls clinic or multidisciplinary assessment is recommended for recurrent fallers. Urgent assessment is required for falls associated with loss of consciousness, head injury, or inability to get up.

musculoskeletalAlternativeComplementaryHolistic

Falls

Unintentional descents to the ground or lower surface, particularly significant in older adults where they represent a major cause of injury and functional decline.

Understand what may be causing this

Reviewed by Internal Medical Editorial Team · Integrative Health Content Review26 March 2026High Evidence

Quick answer

Falls are unintentional descents to the ground or a lower surface, representing a leading cause of injury and mortality in older adults. ICD-10: W19 (unspecified fall); ICD-11: PA90. May result from intrinsic factors (balance, cognition, vision, medications) or extrinsic environmental hazards.

Recognition

Do any of these feel familiar?

The experience of falling — particularly for the first time — is frightening and humiliating. The loss of trust in one's own body is profound. Family members often respond with well-intentioned restriction of activity that inadvertently increases falls risk through deconditioning.

What is Falls?

Unintentional descents to the ground or lower surface, particularly significant in older adults where they represent a major cause of injury and functional decline.

Approaches Commonly Explored

Commonly explored for conditions related to Falls, grouped by mechanism — select your subtype above to highlight the most relevant path.

Integrates across:ComplementaryHolistic

How to use these approaches

🛡 Stabilise— Immediate relief

⚖️ Regulate— System balancing

🌱 Resolve— Root cause

✦ Sustain— Long-term

Most people begin with Stabilise approaches, then progress toward Resolve and Sustain.

Psychological Mechanism

Cognitive patterns, emotional processing, and stress response.

Peptide Therapy

ComplementaryEmerging

Rasayana Therapy

HolisticTraditional Use

Not sure what this means for you?

Ask Vidi to help you understand Falls and find what may be most relevant for your situation.

Self-care

What You Can Do Now

Self-directed strategies that may support Falls alongside professional care.

Ready to find support for Falls?

Connect with holistic and complementary practitioners who specialise in this area.

Find support tailored to your experience

Falls

Do any of these feel familiar?

Approaches Commonly Explored

Peptide Therapy

Rasayana Therapy

What You Can Do Now

Ready to find support for Falls?

This symptom is often connected to

Sarcopenia

Ask Vidi about Falls

About Falls

Integrative Approaches & Evidence

When to Seek Support

Frequently Asked Questions

References