- Hip & Knee
- ACL Tears
- LCL Tears
- MCL Tears
- PCL Tears
- Difficulty Walking
- Hip Impingement
- Hip Pain & Thigh Pain
- Hip Sprain / Strain
- Labral Injury
- Knee Pain
- Knee Sprain / Strain
- Meniscus Injury
- Osteoarthritis of the Hip
- Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
- Piriformis Syndrome
- Poor Balance / Risk of Falling
- Post-Surgery Rehab
- Quad/Patellar Tendon Tear
- Sciatica
- Tendonitis
- Total Hip Replacement
- Total Knee Replacement
- Trochanteric Bursitis
About Poor Balance / Risk of Falling
Did you know that one out of three adults aged 65 and older fall each
year? Among older adults, falls are the leading cause of both fatal and
nonfatal injuries. Our ability to balance when walking or moving can
change for a number of reasons. As we age, there is a natural loss of
balance due to slowing down of reflexes, muscle weakness and tissue
changes. In addition, arthritis in the ankles, knee or hips can affect
balance. Furthermore, any neurological changes such as Parkinsons
Disease, spinal cord injuries, nerve injuries, back problems and much
more can play a role in diminished balance.
Our ability to balance relies mainly on 3 factors. Our ability to perceive movement comes from the nerve sensors in our joints and muscles, our vision and the position of our head in space through the vestibular system in the inner ear. When any one of these factors is not optimum, our ability to balance is affected and our risk for falling greatly increases.
The good news is that there is a lot than can easily be done to improve your ability to balance, which improves your walking and makes the risk of falling significantly less.
How physical therapy helps
Physical therapy is the main treatment for poor balance and reducing
the risk of falls. It begins with a thorough evaluation of your walking,
balance, coordination, joint movement, range of motion and strength. In
the case of neurological conditions, more testing is done to determine
visual tracking and your vestibular system function, which contributes
to your balance.
After discovering the root cause of your balance difficulties, we program a treatment plan that will improve your ability to balance, walk and negotiate many different uneven terrains such as grass, sand, stairs and more. In addition, if you use a cane or walker, we can instruct you in the proper use of that adaptive equipment. Physical therapy goes a long way to improving your balance and setting you on the safe path to enjoying activities you love. Call us today to learn more how we can improve your balance and walking!
