Do you ever feel unsteady or not quite as sure-footed as you used to be? Are you regularly reaching for walls or furniture to steady yourself? Do you experience pain in your hips, knees, or other joints that have changed how you walk? If so, you may be suffering from a balance or gait disorder and could benefit from balance therapy.
What is balance therapy?
Balance therapy is a type of therapy that helps people with balance issues (or your gait). It’s sometimes called vestibular therapy because it mostly focuses on problems with your inner ears. This care aims to address issues like vertigo or poor coordination.
Overall, this sort of care has many goals. Some options will help heal your inner ears. Others will provide you with skills to live with poor balance. Your therapist will assess your needs and create a custom treatment plan. Some common exercises include:
- Sitting or lying in positions to reduce dizziness
- Practicing turning your head while looking at objects
- Exercises to strengthen stabilizing muscles
- Moving your head in ways that adjust inner ear motion
- Getting used to moving around while dizzy
What conditions can be treated with balance therapy?
Any time you have balance problems, this treatment can help. Usually, people get balance therapy because of symptoms like dizziness, vertigo, or frequent falls. Some patients seek care after an injury or illness, which leaves them with sudden balance problems. Others may get help if aging or poor health causes a gradual increase in issues.
You don’t need a medical diagnosis to get balance therapy. However, many patients will have one. Getting proper care is easier when you’ve had a doctor figure out exactly why your balance is poor. Some conditions that balance therapy treats include:
- Meniere’s disease
- Positional vertigo
- Vestibular neuritis
- Perilymph fistula
- Concussions
- Migraines
- Aging
- Parkinson’s disease
Reference: nidcd.nih.gov
What causes balance issues?
Most balance issues are due to inner ear problems. Your body keeps its balance by seeing how fluid shifts inside small ducts in your ears. If something hurts your ears or the connection between your brain and ears, issues arise. Furthermore, balance issues can be due to problems with your other nerves or muscles. When body parts can’t move properly, the misalignments can impair balance.
How well does balance therapy work?
If you’re unhappy with your balance, therapy is always worthwhile. Research shows that balance therapy works very well. Ultimately, people with balance issues who get therapy have reduced symptoms. Not only does it keep you from feeling imbalanced, but it makes it easier to cope with symptoms. Patients have fewer falls, less nausea, and fewer other issues in day-to-day life.
Does insurance cover balance therapy?
Most plans see balance therapy like any other type of care. If you have a diagnosed issue, plans will almost always cover it. Furthermore, many plans will cover it even without a diagnosis or referral. However, make sure you check with your plan before starting. There’s a lot of variation in plans, so it helps to know what your coverage is like.
Gait retraining exercises:
Sometimes, abnormalities in gait can be corrected through ‘retraining,’ where you learn proper techniques.
If you suffer from a balance or gait disorder, contact us today in Englewood, CO, at our physical therapy clinic on Pearl Street or South Maroon to request an appointment with one of our dedicated physical therapists. We’ll help you feel steady on your feet in no time!
Balance Classes
Does the FEAR of FALLING keep you from ENJOYING LIFE?
Do you want to GAIN ENERGY & FEEL STRONGER?
Join our BALANCE CLASS. Our team of physical therapists and physical therapy assistants teaches balance classes. This is a unique program for back and leg strengthening, stretching for mobility, education, and balance exercises. Join a class to restore your balance, fitness, and independence. Call now to register for the next class.