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Balance Disorders and GAIT Training
Our Therapists and Active Orthopedics Physical Therapy are highly trained in treating the physical problems associated with balance disorders, such as gait problems and the increased risk for falls, which can be serious and even life-threatening.
If you have episodes of dizziness or you feel unstable on your feet, you may have a balance disorder. According to estimates, approximately 40% of Americans will experience some form of dizziness or balance disorder at some point in their lives. While balance disorders can affect people of any age, the incidence increases with age.
Balance is a complex function that involves the coordination of your body’s visual, vestibular, and somatosensory systems. Your visual system provides information about your environment. Your vestibular system, located in your inner ear, is needed for balance and position sense. Nerve endings throughout your body provide information about the location of your body in space, or proprioception.
If there is a problem with any of these systems, you can experience balance problems and dizziness. Conditions such as eye muscle imbalance, ear infections, inner ear injury, head injury, headache, arthritis, stroke or other neurological disorder, Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), Ménière's disease, and more can cause dizziness and other symptoms. Even certain medications can be toxic to the vestibular system or produce side effects that cause dizziness.
Whatever the reason for your balance disorder, one thing is for sure: A balance disorder can significantly impact your quality of life by disrupting your daily activities and causing psychological and emotional hardship.
How Can A Physical Therapist Help?
The physical therapists at Active Orthopedics Physical Therapy are highly trained in treating the physical problems associated with balance disorders, such as gait problems and the increased risk for falls, which can be serious and even life-threatening.
Your therapist will evaluate your range of motion and strength, assess your balance and posture while you are sitting and standing, and create a treatment plan that focuses on functional improvement and independence. In cases of positional vertigo (BPPV) or other vestibular related impairments, your therapist will effectively identify and treat the underlying issues in a timely and efficient fashion.
If you’ve been delaying treatment for a balance or gait disorder, or have already had a fall, trust the experts at Active Orthopedics Physical Therapy. We’ll help you get your life back.