Imbalance

It’s a common misconception to dismiss poor balance and falls as “normal” with age. However, this increases your risk of injury and leading to surgery or spending time in rehab. When it comes to balance, everyone wants to know…

What causes imbalance?

There are three different systems that contribute to balance. We recommend having all systems assessed to determine root cause of imbalance.

1. Vision: You need to be able to see your surroundings, obstacles that you need to avoid and floor surface changes. Depth perception can also affect your ability to navigate the environment.

2. Proprioception: There are sensory receptors in our skin, muscles and joints that tell our brain where our body is in space. Receptors in the neck tell the brain which direction and how far the head is turned. Receptors in the ankle tell the brain if you’re swaying or standing on uneven ground. Peripheral neuropathy is the most common cause for change in the sensation of the feet. Other causes of decreased sensation include: diabetes, autoimmune disease, nerve trauma, vascular conditions & kidney/liver disease.

3. Vestibular system: This is your inner ear, which sends information on movement of the head to the brain.

Normally, 70% of your balance comes from proprioception, 20% from vestibular system and 10% from vision. If there’s a dysfunction in one of the systems, the other systems will compensate. Oftentimes, we will see vision compensate for a dysfunction of proprioception and vestibular systems. These people will often have more difficulty maintaining balance in a dim or dark room or when closing their eyes.

How to Improve Balance?

It is recommended to continue annual eye exams to check for vision changes. If you currently have decreased sensation in your feet, be sure to perform regular foot checks for any sores. One of the most important ways to address imbalance is to have an evaluation performed by a physical therapist. A physical therapist can assess the following, which can have an effect on balance:

• Vestibular System

• Strength

• Range of motion

• Coordination

• Muscle control

• Core stability

• Gait or walking pattern

At Focus First Physical Therapy, we will address any dysfunction found during evaluation for a well rounded approach. We also will provide balance challenges to improve overall balance as well. We would love to help you by inviting you to schedule a free phone call with one of our physical therapists who specialize in helping people like yourself improve their balance.

Simply click the link below!