Physical therapy in Gunnison, Ephraim, Mount Pleasant, Richfield, and Manti, UT can help you improve your balance!
Have you ever noticed yourself becoming dizzy or losing your balance? Do you find yourself grabbing onto furniture or leaning against a wall throughout the day to keep your balance? You could be suffering from a balance disorder that needs your attention. Our physical therapists at Therapy West Physical Therapy + Sports Medicine can assist you in determining the source of your symptoms and guiding you to a solution that works.
Individuals of all ages and genders can suffer from balance disorders. One of the most common causes of falls in people over the age of 65 is a loss of balance. There are several possible causes for changes in balance, and the majority of them can be resolved with physical therapy!
Our balance disorders specialty services at Therapy West Physical Therapy + Sports Medicine can help you improve your quality of life! Request an appointment in Gunnison, Ephraim, Mount Pleasant, Richfield, and Manti, UT today to get started!
What are balance disorders, exactly?
Balance deficits can result from physical conditions such as injuries or arthritis in the feet, knees, or hips. Balance problems may also be caused by neurological conditions. Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis, for example, can cause balance loss and nerve injuries from spine disorders or peripheral neuropathies. In some cases, changes in balance are more mental in nature, implying that people’s fear influences how they move.
Our vestibular system is one of the most common factors interfering with our balance. The vestibular system controls how our brain receives information, and when it is impaired, it can trick the brain into believing you are moving when you are not. Walking, for example, may cause you to feel as if you are falling or stumbling. You may also experience dizziness and blurred vision. Fortunately, our physical therapists can identify the source of your problems and assist you in finding effective solutions!
What factors contribute to balance problems?
Our body is an interconnected, highly organized, and interactive system capable of incredible feats of physical performance when functioning properly. The system includes built-in safety features to keep our bodies safe and secure. Somatosensation, also known as our “sixth sense,” is one of these systems.
The ability of our bodies to correctly identify and manage sensations and how they interact with our surroundings is critical to maintaining our balance. Any injury or condition (acute or chronic) can impair our senses’ regulation and disrupt our bodies’ ability to balance.
There are two types of balance: static and dynamic.
- Static balance is the ability to maintain an upright posture with the line of gravity inside the base of support (i.e., standing still)
- Dynamic balance is the ability to maintain stability during changes to the base of support (i.e., moving, walking, running, etc.)
Our vestibular system is one of the most important systems responsible for our ability to maintain balance. The vestibular system regulates your sense of position both statically and dynamically, and vestibular system dysfunction is frequently at the root of many balance problems.
How is Therapy West Physical Therapy + Sports Medicine treating balance disorders?
One of the most effective treatments for all types of balance disorders is physical therapy. Our team is highly skilled at identifying and treating all of the factors that may be affecting your balance. A thorough assessment will be performed during your initial evaluation.
Our physical therapists at Therapy West Physical Therapy + Sports Medicine will thoroughly examine your static and dynamic balance. This will include specific balance and gait tests. We’ll also look at your posture, including your natural stance and movement patterns. Furthermore, we will inquire about your previous medical history, any injuries (both old and new), and any other symptoms you may be experiencing.
A comprehensive clinical risk assessment may look like:
- A review of fall history
- An examination of gait, balance, mobility, and muscle weakness
- An assessment of perceived functional ability and fear of falling
- Assessment of visual impairment and effects of corrective eyewear
- Home hazards/environment assessment
- A cardiovascular exam including resting heart rate checks, active heart rate check
- A medication review
The results of your evaluation will assist us in determining the source of your problem and providing us with the tools to create a personalized treatment plan. The strategy we employ will be based on tried-and-true techniques and will be tailored to your specific needs.
It is estimated that 50% of all dizziness is caused by a vestibular system problem. The vestibular system provides vital information to our brains about how we move and how our heads are positioned. It also includes motor functions that are in charge of our overall balance, stability, and posture.
Among the vestibular system-related balance disorders are:
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
- Meniere’s disease
- Vestibular Neuronitis
- Perilymph Fistula
Our physical therapists frequently employ the following treatment strategies and methods:
Vestibular system rehabilitation
Vestibular therapy helps you maintain your balance by improving and restoring the function of your vestibular system. As a result, the brain correctly receives information from our bodies and our surroundings. If you have a balance or gait issue, our Gunnison, Ephraim, Mount Pleasant, Richfield, and Manti, UT physical therapists will teach you specific exercises to help restore normal vestibular system function.
Customized vestibular rehabilitation is carried out through an adaptation and compensation process. To adjust imbalances and regain stability, we use passive and active therapies to reprogram the vestibular system and form brain connections. Some common methods used in conjunction with vestibular treatment include: Specific head positioning techniques, Balance and coordination training, Home programs, and Patient education
To train the vestibular system, our team uses daily balance training, which includes head-turning in all three planes of movement. We believe that older patients, in particular, should receive specialized training to help them avoid falls and improve their gait.
Strength and mobility exercises
Physical impairments such as joint pain or muscle weakness can make you unsteady on your feet and cause you to lose your balance. Fortunately, these conditions respond extremely well to exercise.
You will also learn about the areas of your body that require strengthening during your assessment. You will learn muscle-building exercises as well as targeted mobility training that will make moving around much easier and reduce your risk of injury.
Balance, coordination, strengthening exercises, and targeted stretches will be prescribed by our therapists at Therapy West Physical Therapy + Sports Medicine. Our movement techniques can help restore the functioning of your vestibular system and get your balance back on track!
Are you ready to overcome your balance disorder?
Please contact our Gunnison, Ephraim, Mount Pleasant, Richfield, and Manti, UT clinics right away!
At our clinic, we are pleased to say that we can provide you with the best treatment plan for your specific needs, allowing you to resume your normal life!
Are you ready to get back on your feet and reduce your chances of sustaining a balance-related injury? If this is the case, contact Therapy West Physical Therapy + Sports Medicine in Gunnison, Ephraim, Mount Pleasant, Richfield, and Manti, UT to schedule a consultation and get started on the road to recovery right away!
Your Next Steps…
Request An Appointment
Receive A Custom Treatment Plan
Work Hard and Progress In Your Recovery
Recover & Enjoy Life Pain-Free!
