Balance & Fall Prevention Therapy | Relive Physical Therapy

What types of medical conditions cause balance problems?

A variety of different medical conditions can increase a person’s likelihood to fall or impair balance. These include:

Spinal Cord Injuries
Stroke
Vision or Hearing Issues
Arthritis
Parkinson’s Disease
Diabetes
Brain Injury
Low Blood Pressure
Certain medications

The medical conditions listed above are just a few contributing factors to balance problems. If you’re experiencing noticeable balance issues or frequent falls, it is important to speak promptly to a medical professional.

How can physical therapy help?

Physical therapy for balance and fall prevention can significantly help patients experiencing a loss of balance. Physical therapy for balance is also known as gait treatment. A physical therapist will begin with a full assessment of your medical conditions and abilities. Then, they will tailor an individual exercise plan to help target your areas that need improvement.

Reduce Fall Risk

Physical therapy can help improve balance and decrease your risk of falling. Preventing falls before they occur is essential! To decrease fall risk, physical therapists work with patients to assess potential hazards, like poorly fitted shoes or problems throughout your home with uneven surfaces. Many household hazards exist that patients are often unaware of, such as loose rugs, dim, or dark lighting, and more.

Improve Balance

Physical therapy can help patients improve their balance. A physical therapist will create specialized exercises to help work on your areas of weakness. Exercises for static and dynamic balance will help you improve your overall balance in time. Over time, your therapist will continually adapt your exercise plan to keep your balance improving.

Strengthen Muscles

Some physical therapy exercises will help patients address areas where their muscles may be weakened.

Improving your overall muscle strength can contribute to improved balance and a decreased risk of falls. These physical therapy exercises might include lightweight training, trunk or core training, and other specialized exercises.

To summarize

Balance issues can be frightening and worrisome, especially for adults. However, working with a physical therapist can help! Limit fall risk, improve balance, and strengthen your muscles by getting started with a specialized physical therapy plan.