Should I seek therapy for balance issues?
The following are some simple assessments for balance deficits. Please perform these with a partner to ensure safety.
Romberg
- Stand with feet together, arms folded across chest.
- Hold that pose with eyes open for 30 seconds.
- Hold that pose with eyes closed for 30 seconds.
Sharpened Romberg
- Stand with feet in a heel-to-toe position.
- Hold that pose with eyes open for 30 seconds.
- Hold that pose with eyes closed for 30 seconds.
If you are unstable with your eyes closed, you may have a balance deficit. Physical Therapy is known to be effective in correcting balance deficits caused by a variety of conditions.
Common Diagnoses We Work With Include:
- Central Nervous System Disorders
- Neuropathy
- Age-Related Balance Dysfunction
- Oculomotor (Visual) Dysfunction
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
- Labyrinthitis
- Ménière’s Disease
- Vestibular Neuronitis
- Muscle Atrophy
- Nerve Injuries
Treatment for Balance Disorders
There are more than a dozen causes of dizziness and many reasons why you might have difficulty with your balance.
Treatment of balance & dizziness disorders can be very complex. Nevertheless, we have helped numerous residents in the community cope with or recover from conditions that cause balance disorders.
The first thing your doctor will do if you have a balance problem is determine if another health condition or a medication is to blame. If so, your doctor will treat the condition, suggest a different medication, or in many cases, refer you to one of our balance disorder experts here at Freedom PT.
Education is Therapy
The most important part of treating a balance disorder is understanding your diagnosis, the cause of the problem, and how to manage it. That’s why we place great emphasis on patient education and coordination of care with your referring physician.
What is Vertigo?
Vertigo is the feeling that either objects or you are moving when each are in fact stationary. Vertigo may give you symptoms of dizziness and my affect your balance.
Positional Vertigo – A Common Cause of Dizziness & Balance Disorders
If you have BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo), our vestibular therapy experts can perform a series of simple movements, such as the Epley maneuver, which can help dislodge the otoconia (calcium crystals) from the semicircular canal of the ear. In many cases, one session works; other people need the procedure several times to relieve their dizziness.
We Can Help You Cope With Your Condition
The physical therapists at Freedom PT can also help increase your strength and coordination to help lower your risk of falling and getting hurt during daily activities, such as when you walk up or down stairs, use the bathroom, or exercise. Physical Therapy has been shown to help 80% of patients with vertigo issues.
Some people with a balance disorder will need the help of our vestibular rehabilitation therapists to cope with their problems. In each case, we will conduct a personalized evaluation of your condition and then we will develop an individualized treatment plan.
Call Today
Call us today to learn more about how we can develop a personalized treatment program for your balance problems and help you get back to enjoying a higher quality of life.
