Physical Therapy and Balance By: Victoria Lavery PT, DPT
It is estimated that roughly 15% of American adults have balance problems each year. Balance disorders include any condition which make you feel dizzy or unsteady, and these disorders have a wide variety of causes including medication interactions, problems in the inner ear or brain, and certain health conditions. Balance difficulties can lead to falls and weakness which can cause further problems, especially in the elderly population, as the risk of balance abnormalities increases with age.
Balance is regulated by three different systems which all work together to help maintain our balance. The first system is the visual system which is responsible for sending input from the eyes to the brain regarding our surroundings. The second is the vestibular system which is composed of small semicircular canals in the inner ear which are responsible for sensing our head position in space, spatial orientation, and motion in respect to gravity. The third system that plays a role is our proprioceptive system which is responsible for sending input from receptors in our legs and feet to the brain regarding movement. A malfunction with any of these systems can lead to balance abnormalities.
Symptoms of balance disorders can vary from person to person, and symptoms are typically dependent on what is causing the balance problem. Some of the more common symptoms include dizziness, falling or feeling like you may fall, staggering, lightheadedness, blurred vision, and confusion or disorientation. These symptoms can be caused by a wide variety of disorders, with some of the most common including vestibular abnormalities in the inner ear, head injuries including traumatic brain injuries and concussions, side effects of medications, leg weakness, and nerve damage in the legs caused by disorders such as peripheral neuropathy. Balance disorders can also be caused by a variety of neurologic conditions including Parkinson’s, stroke, multiple sclerosis, brain injury, and spinal cord injury.
Some balance disorders may have simple solutions, such as balance problems caused by high blood pressure which can be managed by reducing sodium intake, exercising, and maintaining a healthy weight. However, not all balance disorders can be resolved as quickly, and that is where physical therapists can help. There are several tests physical therapists can do to narrow down the cause of balance disorders. Once the cause of a balance disorder is determined, physical therapists can help to develop an exercise program that is customized to your needs. These programs can include leg and core strengthening, proprioception exercises, vestibular/inner ear exercises, and visual tracking activities which can all work together to improve balance. Therapists can also help to identify fall risks within the home and assess for the need for an assistive device to reduce your risk of falling.
As you can see, there is a lot that goes into maintaining our balance. Physical therapists can play a big role in assisting with balance disorders to prevent falls and reduce risk of further injury. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment to have a physical therapist evaluate any balance problems you may be experiencing, please do not hesitate to contact us at Advanced Rehabilitation!
References:
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/balance-problems-and-disorders
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/balance-problems/symptoms-causes/syc-20350474
https://www.optometrists.org/neuro-optometry/vision-dizziness-and-imbalance/
https://www.hjphysicaltherapy.com/how-a-physical-therapist-can-help-you-improve-your-balance/