Feeling Unsteady Lately? Regain Your Balance with Physical Therapy
At some point in our lives, we’ve all felt dizzy—and it’s certainly not a pleasant sensation. For some people, however, dizziness and imbalance become a regular occurrence. Do you find yourself reaching for walls, railings, or nearby objects to stay steady on your feet? Does your balance simply feel like it’s not what it used to be? If this sounds like you, you may be experiencing balance or gait disorders that should be addressed with professional care.
Are You Dealing with a Gait Disorder or a Balance Disorder? Learn the difference.
Balance and gait disorders may seem similar, but they have important differences. A physical therapist at Recover Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation can identify your specific condition after a thorough evaluation. In the meantime, here’s a helpful overview of balance disorders versus gait disorders:
- Balance disorders can involve both physical and neurological components. Your brain may perceive movement even when you’re not moving. You might feel as if you’re falling, sway while walking, or feel like you’re floating. Blurred vision and disorientation are also common. Changes in strength, mobility, and your joints’ ability to sense position in space (proprioception) can all affect your balance.
- Gait disorders can cause abnormal walking or running patterns, which may become more noticeable with age. They may also be caused by a stroke, inner ear issues, foot conditions, or even something as simple as shoes that don’t fit properly.
Why Am I Having Problems with My Gait or Balance?
Balance and gait disorders can develop for many different reasons. Many balance issues are related to problems within the vestibular system, which is responsible for your sense of position—also known as proprioception. Underlying musculoskeletal and neurological conditions can cause or worsen problems with balance or the way you walk.
Some common vestibular and related conditions that may result in balance disorders include:
- Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV): This occurs when tiny calcium crystals become displaced in the inner ear, leading to balance disturbances.
- Neurological conditions: There are many neurological disorders that can affect balance and gait, including Parkinson’s disease, brain injury, or stroke.
- Injuries and medical conditions: Even when the brain and nervous system are functioning well, an injury, illness, accident, or sudden condition that causes muscle weakness can interfere with balance and make it difficult to stay upright.
How Can Physical Therapy Help Me Find Relief from My Balance or Gait Disorder?
Physical therapy is one of the most effective treatments for balance and gait problems. When you arrive for your initial appointment at Recover Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation, our physical therapist will perform a comprehensive evaluation to assess your balance, gait, posture, medical history, and symptoms before creating a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.
Your treatment plan for a balance or gait disorder may include the following exercises and therapeutic approaches:
- Stretching: Stretching helps improve flexibility and range of motion, giving you better control and faster reactions during movement. It also prevents muscles from becoming overly tight or stiff and reduces the risk of injury.
- Gait retraining exercises: In some cases, gait abnormalities can be corrected through retraining, where proper movement techniques are relearned. Runners can also benefit greatly from this type of therapeutic approach.
- Vestibular rehabilitation: If you’re living with a balance or gait disorder, your physical therapist may provide specific exercises designed to reposition calcium debris within the inner ear. This form of therapy works to improve coordination between your vision, nerves, muscles, and the vestibular system as a whole—helping you maintain steady balance.
- Strengthening exercises: Your physical therapy evaluation will identify areas of weakness that may need strengthening. Your physical therapist will guide you through targeted strengthening exercises to build muscle support, make movement easier, and reduce the risk of future injuries.