When To Seek Help For Balance Treatment?
If the tests above indicate an abnormal ability to balance, a health professional should be consulted. Alternatively, you can ask yourself or the patient the following questions. If the answer is “yes” to any of the questions, help should be pursued.
- Do I ever lose my balance and fall?
- Do I feel lightheaded or as if I might faint?
- Do I feel unsteady?
- Does the room feel as if it is spinning around me?
- Do I feel as if I am moving when I know I am stationary?
- Is my vision blurred?
- Do I ever lose my sense of location?
How Can Physical Therapy Help With My Balance?
The first step in treatment is to determine the cause of a balance problem. Once the type of balance disorder is determined by either a physician or a physical therapist, vestibular physical therapy can be a useful treatment tool to reeducate the body and develop strategies to restore normal function.
Through practice and repetition, the brain will recognize when input is abnormal and respond appropriately. With the help of a physical therapist, a home exercise program can be established, and repeated a few times a day to reprogram the brain. A physical therapist can also help identify extrinsic risk factors for falls that can be related to balance disorders, and help to develop strategies to create a safer environment. These strategies may include how to examine your environment for loose cords or rugs, which can cause threats, and ensuring your home has adequate lighting and space. The PT may also address techniques for focusing while in crowded spaces as this situation increases likelihood of falls.
At Therapydia, physical therapists can develop an individualized vestibular therapy program to enhance balance, whether to prevent a debilitating fall or improve performance in sport. For more information or to schedule a consultation, give us a call.