Balance disorders can be frightening and may lead to falls that cause serious injuries. The expert team at Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy throughout New York state, has extensive experience in using physical therapy and gait analysis to restore balance and help prevent falls. Call the office today if you have a balance disorder, or book an appointment online.
Balance disorders can develop following injury or as a result of a disease that affects any of the structures in your body that help you balance, including your:
Your cognitive functioning also affects your ability to balance, so neurology plays a significant role in most balance disorders.
There is a fundamental link between your gait and your ability to maintain your balance while you’re moving, so gait therapy plays an important role in treating balance disorders.
Your gait is the way you walk – your pace, rhythm, and style. After a foot or leg injury or a neurological problem like a stroke, you may find that the way you walk is different or impaired.
Chronic pain can also affect your gait and balance by making you favor one foot or leg. In some cases, the original injury is not what’s holding you back from moving quickly and easily, rather it’s chronic weakness, slow reflexes, and muscle fatigue, which result in changes to your gait and balance as you move.
Gait training helps by:
Gait training can also help you feel more confident in your footing as you age.
Your physical therapist at Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy starts by carrying out a thorough evaluation.
After discussing your concerns, they may order diagnostic imaging tests and perform functional tests so they can see your foot placement, walking pace, and step style.
Because physical therapists are experts in movement, they can spot potential problems with your strength and posture that may contribute to your balance and gait problems. Using this information, they develop a personalized treatment plan that may include:
Your therapist can make recommendations for any assistive aids or coping strategies that will improve your balance during dizzy spells. They also evaluate your progress periodically, making any necessary adjustments to your treatment program.
Physical therapy using gait training techniques is the most effective tool for treating balance disorders, helping you to regain your strength, stabilize your footing, and improve your posture and overall balance.
As a result of your therapy at Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy, you’ll feel more confident and aware on your feet and have significantly less chance of falling. Call the team today to schedule a consultation, or book an appointment online.
