Patients with balance issues are unable to maintain a stable posture. They also find it hard to remain upright when sitting, walking, or standing. Balance physical therapy helps you deal with the problem and regain balance. Often, balance-related complications are more common in adults.
If you or your loved one has balance-related disorders, it is good to have the problem addressed as soon as possible. When such complications remain untreated for long, they can cause falls. When working with a physical therapist, you can engage in balance disorders physical therapy to improve stability.
What is Balance?
Our bodies can remain upright and balanced due to various systems working together. If any of these systems experience an issue, it affects your balance. These systems include:
- The visual system: It allows you to see your environment clearly to maintain stability. You can wear prescription glasses to improve sight. However, it may not always lead to stability. Participating in better balance physical therapy can help improve your vision.
- The vestibular system: It is located in the inner ear. If you have hearing problems, it can also affect your balance. This system gives the brain information based on your head’s position. The fluid within the ear lets the brain know when the head is in motion.
- The proprioceptive system involves the body’s muscles and joints, which have nerve endings that inform the brain when to contract. If this system fails to work, it can result in balance disorders.
These systems need to work well together to guarantee proper balance. If any of them fails to work due to interruption or damage, it can make one feel wobbly, dizzy, or unbalanced. A PT can design individualized balance exercises physical therapy to help improve the condition.
How Does Physical Therapy Help with Balance?
You can improve the proprioceptive system functioning, posture, and strength through body balance physical therapy and treat vestibular conditions. Notably, physical therapy program depends on each patients’ problem. When you visit a therapy center, the PT will evaluate all the systems of your body, including:
- The inner ear
- Skin sensation
- Eye-tracking ability
- Muscle and joints
- Proprioception and
- Circulation
After a thorough evaluation, the therapist can diagnose, identify, and design a treatment program to treat the cause of the problem. They will assess your specific needs, challenges and also review your goal during this process. The therapists can focus on strengthening, stretching, visual tracking, inner ear retraining, or position awareness strategies. Strategies in balance physical therapy will entail:
1. Reduced Risk of Falls
The biggest challenge people with vestibular conditions face is the increased risk of falls. When you visit a physical therapist, they recommend appropriate footwear. Additionally, they can assess your home, pointing out areas and things that increase the risk of falling. They can help you eliminate hazards such as loose rugs, bad lighting, and other obstacles.
2. Improved Mobility
Another benefit of physical therapy for balance and gait is improved mobility. The PT includes exercises that help you learn how to move with ease and improved coordination. Additionally, these exercises build your strength and improve your movement skills.
3. Reduced Fear of Falling
When you start physical therapy, you can confidently address the specific problems leading to balance issues. As a result, you have improved confidence in the ability to regain your balance. Your fear of falling reduces, allowing you to resume daily activities.
4. Increased Movement
If stiff joints interfere with your balance, the physical therapist can introduce various activities in the treatment program. At first, the PT can do passive movements for you. However, with time, you can start doing these exercises.
5. Improved Balance
You will also learn static (standing and sitting still) and dynamic balance exercises during the treatment. Dynamic exercises keep you on the move throughout the day. Additionally, using the balance disturbance technique, you learn how to anticipate and prevent a fall. As your skills improve, the physical therapist increases these exercises aiding in progress.
6. Increased Strength
Muscle weakness can lead to balance issues. Physical therapy for balance helps with exercises that build muscle strength. When the trunk, hip, and core muscles are strong, the overall balance can also improve. During the sessions, the physical therapist can use exercise bands to improve resistance and prevent joint stress.
7. Improved Activity Levels
Balance training increases activity levels. It is significantly more beneficial for older people. Increasing activity levels can help you meet balance goals safely and faster.
8. Improved Posture and Flexibility
Tight muscles can also affect your balance. During the evaluation stage, the PT will seek to identify if you have this challenge. If it is the case, you learn how to stretch these muscles and joints gently. You also learn exercises to help improve your posture.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a typical vestibular rehabilitation program?
It typically takes 6 to 8 weeks with patients seeing a physical therapy once or twice a week. However, this duration is different from one patient to another. The severity of the condition and how your body responds to therapy are leading factors affecting the duration.
What type of recovery/outcome can I expect from balance physical therapy?
Improved motion, reduced symptoms, decreased risk of falling, improved balance, increased body strength, and improved confidence in maintaining balance are some of the results you will gain.
What are the types of exercises that I will engage in during balance therapy?
Vision stability training, balance retraining, walking, neck mobility and stretching, stretching and strengthening, and general fitness exercise. Remember, each exercise depends on the extent of the condition and other factors.
What kind of physical therapist will I need?
Many physical therapists are trained to handle balance-related problems. You should ensure your chosen physical therapist is board-certified and a specialist in neurological physical therapy. This specialization gives them additional knowledge, skills, and expertise.
