Balance physical therapy

Balance and dizziness problems are common – and can become even more common as you get older. Balance disorders can affect many aspects of your daily life. People with balance disorders are also at an increased risk of falling, which can result in fractures and other serious health problems.

At Atrium Health Floyd and Harbin Clinic, our physical therapists use a variety of effective techniques to improve your balance and decrease your risk of falling.

What is balance physical therapy?

Lots of things can affect your balance. Whether you have a medical condition that causes dizziness, joint issues that affect your mobility or experience impaired balance due to aging, specialized physical therapy can help.

Balance physical therapy can include a variety of rehabilitation techniques, such as:

• Exercises to strengthen the muscles that support balance
• Moves that retrain your ability to balance
• Vision stability training (if your balance issues are related to a vestibular disorder)
• Walking exercise to improve your gait and mobility

Types of balance physical therapy

The goal of any type of balance physical therapy is the same: improve your balance, make you feel steadier on your feet and reduce your risk of falling. Your treatment will depend on the condition affecting your balance, your overall health and your physical goals.

Balance exercises can be as simple as practicing standing on one foot. As part of a comprehensive program of balance physical therapy, you’ll learn exercises that progressively challenge and improve your steadiness.

Your balance physical therapy program may include different types of balance training, such as:

• Biodex Balance System: We use this specialized machine to assess your balance and agility. You’ll use the machine for strength, coordination and balance exercises.
• Fall prevention: Any type of balance disorder increases your risk of falling. As part of your balance physical therapy, you’ll learn strategies to help prevent falls.
• Gait training: Your physical therapist may recommend gait training to help you walk with more stability. This includes exercises to improve your walking patterns and make you feel steadier on your feet.
• Vestibular rehabilitation: Our therapists provide specialized vestibular (inner ear) rehab if your balance issues are related to an inner ear disorder. Exercises may include retraining how your brain processes balance information, which can help reduce dizziness and improve stability.

Conditions benefiting from balance physical therapy

Almost everyone can benefit from balance training. Good balance – especially as you age – is essential for mobility and safety.

People with certain medical conditions may need balance physical therapy to improve their stability and prevent falls. This can include a wide range of conditions such as:

• Dizziness
• Head injury
• Inner ear problems (vestibular disorder)
• Joint problems (or recent joint replacement surgery)
• Vertigo

Balance physical therapy side effects

When you have balance physical therapy with a trained specialist, it is safe and effective.

As with any exercise program, it’s important to get your doctor’s approval and start slowly. Doing exercises more than recommended or trying to progress too quickly can cause injury. Work with your physical therapist to move safely through your customized program and improve your balance.