Balance Disorders Relief
Regain Your Stability and Confidence
A balance disorder may cause dizziness or make you feel unsteady on your feet. There are many conditions that cause you to feel off balance, affecting your safety and independence in daily activities.
The skilled team at startPTNow develops customized plans for balance disorders, addressing the root cause of your impaired balance. If you need exceptional care for balance issues, schedule a same-day or next-day appointment at our Maryland locations.
Balance Disorders Q & A
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 and injuries.
At startPTNow, we specialize in comprehensive assessments to identify the specific type of balance disorder you're experiencing and develop targeted treatment plans for improved stability and safety.
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:
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.
Neuropathy affects peripheral nerve function. Damage to these nerves may affect sensations in the feet, making it hard for you to walk safely.
Impaired balance and difficulty walking are also common as you get older, increasing the risk of falls and fractures that can significantly impact your independence.
How can physical therapy help my balance disorder?
The startPTNow team customizes plans for your balance disorder based on the underlying cause. We conduct extensive individualized assessments to determine the cause of your impaired balance and risk of falls.
Our comprehensive evaluation includes assessment of your posture, balance, vestibular system, strength, coordination, and functional mobility to identify the specific factors contributing to your balance issues.
Based on the information collected from your assessment, your physical therapist designs a customized balance retraining, conditioning, and educational program. Our treatment approach focuses on:
Strength & Conditioning
- Strengthening key muscle groups
- Core stability exercises
- Lower extremity strengthening
- Endurance training
- Functional movement patterns
Balance & Vestibular Training
- Improving balance reactions
- Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT)
- Canalith repositioning for BPPV
- Integrating vision and sensation
- Gaze stabilization exercises
Safety & Functional Training
- Providing balance challenges
- Uneven surface training
- Fall prevention techniques
- Home safety assessments
- Assistive device training
We provide progressive balance challenges including curbs, uneven surfaces, and dim lighting simulations to prepare you for real-world situations. Most importantly, we teach you techniques to prevent falls and maintain your independence with confidence.
If you have concerns about falls, impaired balance, difficulty walking, or vestibular problems,
schedule an appointment at StartPTNow by calling or booking online today.
