Balance Disorder Specialist

What is a balance disorder?

A balance disorder refers to conditions that make you feel unsteady on your feet. You may feel dizzy or lightheaded, or it may feel as though the room is spinning.

These symptoms may occur when you’re lying down, sitting, standing, or walking. They may make you feel off-balance, making it difficult to walk, and increasing your risk of falls. 

What causes a balance disorder?

There are many body systems and body parts that support your balance and gait, including your eyes, inner ears, muscles, joints, nerves, and blood vessels. A problem with one or more of these body parts may cause a balance disorder. 

Conditions that cause a balance disorder include:

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)

BPPV is a condition that affects your inner ear, which contains fluid and nerve endings that help you maintain balance. With BPPV, the calcium crystals that help maintain balance move out of place, causing vertigo.

Migraine

Migraines cause a wide range of symptoms, including dizziness and sensitivity to motion. 

Neuropathy

Neuropathy is a condition that affects peripheral nerve function. Damage to these nerves may affect sensations in the feet, making it hard for you to walk. 

Joint or muscle problems

Your joints and muscles support your body’s mobility. Conditions that affect your joints or muscles, such as arthritis or muscle strains, may affect your gait, leading to impaired balance. 

Impaired balance and difficulty walking are also common as you get older, increasing the risk of falls and fractures.

How can physical therapy help my balance disorder?

The Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine Center team customizes plans for your balance disorder based on the underlying cause. They conduct extensive individualized assessments to determine the cause of your impaired balance and risk of falls. 

The team also evaluates your posture, balance, vestibular system, strength, coordination, and function. 

Based on the information collected from your assessment, your physical therapist designs a customized balance retraining, conditioning, and educational program. The team focuses on:

• Strengthening key muscle groups
• Improving balance reactions
• Integrating vision, sensation, and vestibular information
• Providing balance challenges (e.g., curbs, uneven surfaces, dim lighting)
• Teaching techniques to prevent falls

Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine Center also treats BPPV, which may include canalith repositioning techniques to restore the calcium crystals to their normal position or vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT). 

If you have concerns about falls, impaired balance, difficulty walking, or vestibular problems, schedule an appointment at Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine Center by calling the office or clicking the online booking button today.