Physical therapy can help you improve your balance!
Have you ever noticed yourself becoming dizzy or losing your balance? Do you find yourself grabbing onto furniture or leaning against a wall throughout the day to keep your balance? You could be suffering from a balance disorder that needs attention. Our physical therapists in Warminster and New Britain, PA at McCabe and Brady Physical Therapy can assist you in determining the source of your symptoms and guide you to a solution.
Individuals of all ages and genders can suffer from balance disorders. One of the most common causes of falls in people over 65 is a loss of balance. There are several possible causes for changes in balance, and the majority of them can be resolved with physical therapy!
What factors contribute to balance problems?
Balance deficits can result from physical conditions such as injuries or arthritis in the feet, knees, or hips or may be caused by neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or nerve injuries from the spine or peripheral neuropathies. Your fear of falling is also a major risk factor and places you at a greater risk of suffering a fall.
Our vestibular system is one of the most important systems responsible for our ability to maintain balance. The vestibular system regulates your sense of position both statically and dynamically.
There are two types of balance: static and dynamic.
- Static balance is the ability to maintain an upright posture with the line of gravity inside the base of support (i.e., standing still)
- Dynamic balance is the ability to maintain stability during changes to the base of support (i.e., moving, walking, running, etc.)
How are McCabe and Brady’s Physical Therapy treating balance disorders?
One of the most effective treatments for all types of balance disorders is physical therapy.
Our physical therapists at McCabe and Brady Physical Therapy will thoroughly examine your static and dynamic balance. This will include specific balance and gait tests. We’ll also look at your posture, including your natural stance and movement patterns.
A comprehensive clinical risk assessment may look like this:
- A review of fall history
- An examination of gait, balance, mobility, and muscle weakness
- An assessment of perceived functional ability and fear of falling
- Assessment of visual impairment and effects of corrective eyewear
- Home hazards/environment assessment
- A cardiovascular exam including resting heart rate checks, active heart rate check
- A medication review
The results of your evaluation will assist us in determining the source of your problem and provide us with the tools to create a personalized treatment plan.
Vestibular system rehabilitation
It is estimated that 50% of all dizziness is caused by a vestibular system problem. The vestibular system provides vital information to our brains about how we move and how our heads are positioned. It also includes motor functions that are in charge of our overall balance, stability, and posture.
Among the vestibular system-related balance disorders are:
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
- Meniere’s disease
- Vestibular Neuronitis
- Perilymph Fistula
Vestibular therapy helps you maintain your balance by improving and restoring the function of your vestibular system. As a result, the brain correctly receives information from our bodies and our surroundings.
Customized vestibular rehabilitation is carried out through an adaptation and compensation process. To adjust imbalances and regain stability, we use passive and active therapies to reprogram the vestibular system and form brain connections.
Some common methods used in conjunction with vestibular treatment include:
- Specific head positioning techniques
- Balance and coordination training
- Home programs
- Patient Education
- Strength and mobility exercises
Physical impairments such as joint pain or muscle weakness can make you unsteady on your feet and cause you to lose your balance. Fortunately, these conditions respond extremely well to exercise.
Balance, coordination, strengthening exercises, and targeted stretches will be prescribed by our therapists to help restore the functioning of your vestibular system and get your balance back on track!
Are you ready to overcome your balance disorder?
Contact McCabe and Brady Physical Therapy in Warminster or New Britain, PA today to make an appointment with one of our specialists!
Your Next Steps…
Request An Appointment
Receive A Custom Treatment Plan
Work Hard and Progress In Your Recovery
Enjoy Life Pain-Free!