Poor Balance or Risk of Falling
About Poor Balance or 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 visual changes. In addition, arthritis in the ankles, knee, and/or hips can affect balance. Furthermore, any neurological changes such as Parkinson’s Disease, nerve damage (such as diabetic neuropathy), back problems (such as spinal stenosis), and much more can play a role in altered balance.
Our ability to balance relies mainly on three 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 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 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 Bay State Physical Therapy today to learn more how we can improve your balance and walking!