Gait, Balance & Physical Therapy

Balance problems can occur after an injury or can present through a specific diagnosis. Specific diseases affect the structure in your body that helps your balance, which include your eyes, ears, muscles, joints and nervous system. Older adults experience balance problems more commonly than others. 

There are many causes to why people experience balance problems, including inner ear problems, certain medications, lack of physical activity, aging, joint stiffness, and muscle weakness. If you struggle with a balance disorder, you may experience symptoms such as:

• Dizziness
• Vertigo
• Gait
• Falling / Feeling like you are going to fall
• Blurred Vision
• Lightheadedness
• Faintness
• Confusion

Imbalance and gait can diminish a person’s quality of life and can impact their social lifestyle as well as cause emotional problems, like anxiety and depression. People often avoid any lifestyle that will bring on, or worsen the dizziness and imbalance. Due to lifestyle changes they may experience decreased muscle strength and flexibility, increased joint stiffness, and reduced stamina.

Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy plays an important role in treating balance disorders. Gait training helps by: 

• Improving Posture
• Increase Stability
• Improving Joint Flexibility
• Strengthen Muscles
• Reduce Pain
• Improve Reflexes

Reddy Care Physical and Occupational Therapists will always start by completing a thorough evaluation. They will evaluate how you perform and test your balance to see how your foot placement, walking pace and step length is. Physical Therapists are movement experts and can spot problems with strength and posture which may be connected to gait and balance problems. Our therapists improve quality of life through hands-on therapy, manual therapy, aquatic therapy, exercise prescription, and our state of the art equipment, such as the Solo Step.

Balance disorders can be frightening and may lead to falls that cause serious injuries. The expert team at Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy has experience in using Physical and Occupational therapy to restore balance and help prevent falls. If you or a loved one is experiencing balance or gait problems call us today!

Great Neck: 475 Northern Blvd., Ste.11, Great Neck, NY 11021   Tel. (516) 829-0030

Farmingdale: 309 North West Dr., Farmingdale, NY 11735   Tel. (516) 420-2900

Woodbury: 150 Woodbury Rd., Woodbury, NY 11797   Tel. (516) 367-1111

Deer Park: 2024 Deer Park Ave., Deer Park, NY 11729   Tel. (631) 243-0247

North Shore Towers: 272-78 Grand Central Pkwy., Floral Park, NY 11005   Tel. (516) 344-0030

In-Home Physical & Occupational Therapy (Home Care): 516-829-0030 

*Home therapy servicing Long Island, Queens, Staten Island, Brooklyn, the Bronx & Manhattan*

Bayside - Aquatic Therapy: 208-32 Cross Island Pkwy., Bayside, NY11360  Tel. (718) 224-8480 *coming soon*

Sources: 

https://www.reddycare.net/services/balance-disorders

https://www.choosept.com/guide/physical-therapy-guide-balance-problems

Author

Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy is an outstanding specialty service providing exceptional care and state-of-the-art treatments for the residents of Farmingdale and Great Neck, New York. The combination of innovative exercise programs, manual therapy, and technology together with the expertise of every member of the team enables Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy to provide services that ensure superior clinical outcomes and consistently high patient satisfaction.