Balance Therapy

Adding Balance Therapy Is New Normal to Keep Your Lifestyle Active

Home » Adding Balance Therapy Is New Normal to Keep Your Lifestyle Active

Have you noticed you don’t feel as steady on your feet as you used to? Did you know that physical therapists are highly skilled at reducing the risk of falling? Our team at Ohana Physical Therapy, provides comprehensive physical therapy treatments including balance and fall prevention programs that can be added to your normal routine!

Muscle weakness, previous history of falling, and reduced physical fitness are just a few of the most common risk factors that often lead to falls. As we get older, falls become one of the leading causes for serious injury and mortality.

Exercise programs designed by our highly skilled physical therapists can not only help to prevent falls, they can also prevent injuries caused by falls, including the most severe ones. The stronger and healthier you are the more able you are to recover from a fall or injury.

Our Ohana Physical Therapy physical therapists will conduct a comprehensive evaluation to identify your specific needs and then design a program tailored to meet your abilities and limitations.

Contact Ohana Physical Therapy today to request an appointment and learn how we can assess your balance and reduce your risk of falling so you can maintain your active lifestyle!

What are the systems in the body responsible for balance?

Balance is the ability to keep your body within the limits of your base of support (i.e., your feet). Maintaining your balance while performing your normal daily activities requires the body coordinate, with precise timing, the different systems in our bodies so we can respond to changes in our environment.

The following systems interact to help maintain our sense of balance:

  • Inner ears: Sensors that make up our vestibular system monitor the directions of motion (i.e., turning, forward-backward, side-to-side, and up-and-down motions).
  • Eyes: The visual system observes where the body is in space and its moving directions.
  • Skin: Nerve receptors provide information about how the body moves on different terrains. In the feet, pressure sensors give feedback telling our body information about the ground and any obstacle we may encounter.
  • Muscles and joints: These sensory receptors in our muscles and joints sense what body parts are moving and help regulate the force and speed of our movements.

The central nervous system is responsible for processing all the information from all the different sources to ensure we adapt to any changes in our environment. These interconnected systems are needed so our body can adjust appropriately and so we maintain our balance.

We often take for granted the body’s amazing ability to constantly assess and process this information until it’s too late and we suffer from a fall. When functioning properly the interaction between your musculoskeletal and central nervous systems effectively and efficiently controls your balance while standing, walking, changing positions, reaching, and even anticipating movements.

Any disruption to one or multiple systems will impair your ability to balance yourself. It can sometimes be challenging to determine the causes of your balance deficits, which is why getting a physical therapy assessment is so important. Our team will identify limitations in your balance and address them to minimize your risk of falling.

What to expect at your Ohana Physical Therapy physical therapy sessions

Our physical therapists at Ohana Physical Therapy will conduct a comprehensive evaluation to identify where you have limitations. In addition, we will also conduct a balanced assessment to identify all the factors influencing your condition and gauge your problem’s nature.

The most effective way to determine your risk of falling is through a comprehensive assessment. A clinical assessment conducted by our team of physical therapists can determine what factors may or may not be contributing to your fall risk.

Our multifactorial approach usually consists of:

  • 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

Next, we will create a customized treatment plan to improve your balance based on your specific limitations. Our programs will likely include targeted balance and mobility exercises emphasizing activities that address your limitations. We will incorporate strengthening exercises that help improve your core and lower extremities to minimize your fall risk and restore overall mobility.

Depending on your condition, your treatment plan may include vestibular rehabilitation or addressing the other systems affecting your balance. Drills that stimulate the nervous system can help you achieve the best outcomes.

We are here to help you regain your independence and quality of life for years to come!

Request an appointment with our balance specialists!

Our physical therapists have the extensive knowledge needed to identify and treat the source of your balance issues. If you’re looking for a comprehensive assessment and want help regaining the confidence you need to stay active and healthy, call Ohana Physical Therapy today!

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