Balance & Gait Disorders

Steady Your Balance and Improve Your Gait with Physical Therapy

Do you ever feel unsteady, or not quite as sure-footed as you use to be? Do you find yourself having to reach for walls or furniture to steady yourself? Do you experience pain in your hips, knees, or other joints that have changed the way that you walk? If so, you may be suffering from a balance and gait disorders.

These disorders can be physically and mentally disrupting, developing for a variety of reasons. Underlying musculoskeletal and neurological disorders can cause or aggravate a balance or gait problem. Luckily, physical therapy can help significantly reduce your symptoms or correct your condition altogether. For more information on how you can steady your balance and gait troubles, contact Fitness Matters for an appointment today!

Balance and gait disorders: defined

Balance and gait disorders belong to a family of functional problems that interfere with your positional awareness, your normal means of walking or running, and your ability to keep yourself upright.

Balance and gait disorders are closely related, but they do have some distinct differences. Balance disorders are both physical and mental, as your brain may think you are moving, even when you are not. Changes to your joint strength, mobility, and ability to sense where your joints are in space (proprioception), all have physical consequences on your balance.

Gait disorders can cause abnormal movements to the way you walk and run, and these can become exaggerated with age. According to Move Forward Physical Therapy, gait disorders account for 17 percent of senior falls.

How do balance and gait disorders develop?

There can be many causes of balance and gait disorders, as they can develop from many different underlying conditions. For balance disorders, many are related to issues in the vestibular system, which is a delicate collection of fluid-filled chambers and sensory nerves, located in the inner ear, and thousands of nerve receptors in your joints throughout your body. The vestibular system is responsible for your sense of position, also known as “proprioception.”

Some common vestibular conditions resulting in balance disorders include:

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).

This occurs when calcium debris breaks off in the inner ear, causing issues with balance.

Neurological issues.

This may include Parkinson’s disease, brain injury, or stroke. Anything that affects your neurological system can also impact your balance.

Injury or ailment.

Even if your brain and nervous system are working in harmony with one another, a sudden injury, disease, or other ailment causing muscle weakness can interfere with your balance and make it difficult to keep yourself upright.

How will physical therapy help with my balance or gait disorder?

When it comes to improving your balance and ability to walk, physical therapy is the best possible option. Our specialized physical therapists located in Worthington, Grandview, Westerville and Dublin, OH will conduct a comprehensive physical evaluation to examine your balance, gait, stance, medical history, and symptoms, before creating a personalized treatment plan deemed for your specific needs. This treatment plan may include:

Strengthening exercises.

Your evaluation will help determine what problem areas in your body may need help. Your physical therapist will provide you with strengthening exercises that will build up your muscles, thus making it much easier for you to move around and reduce your risk of injury.

Stretches.

Stretching will help improve your flexibility and your range of motion. This will give you more control and quicker reactions to your movements, also reducing your risk of injury. It will also keep your muscles from becoming too tight and stiff.

Vestibular rehabilitation.

This physical therapy treatment works to improve your vision, nerves, muscles, and the vestibular system as a whole, in order to maintain a steady balance. If you are suffering from BPPV, our Worthington, Grandview, Westerville and Dublin, OH physical therapists will provide you with specific exercises that will move the calcium debris to the correct parts of your ear.

Gait retraining exercises.

In a study cited by the Arthritis Foundation, patients suffering from osteoarthritis-related gait disorders were able to successfully alter their gait through treadmill exercises. Sometimes, abnormalities in gait can be effectively corrected simply through “retraining.” If this is the case, our physical therapist will walk you through proper posture, stance, and walking techniques.

If you are suffering from a balance or gait disorder, contact us today at Fitness Matters to schedule an appointment with one of our dedicated physical therapists. We’ll help you feel steady on your feet in no time!

Pilates.

Pilates at Fitness Matters can significantly improve balance and gait disorders by focusing on core strength, flexibility, and body awareness. Our instructors can help you achieve greater stability and smoother, more efficient movements through tailored programs to accommodate limitations or injuries. Whether you are dealing with a specific disorder or simply looking to enhance your overall stability, Pilates offers a safe, effective, and evidence-based approach to achieving your goals.

Muscle Activation Techniques.

Balance and gait disorders often result from muscular weaknesses or imbalances, which can lead to inefficient movement patterns and an increased risk of falls. At Fitness Matters, we offer Muscle Activation Techniques to address these issues by targeting specific muscles that may not be firing correctly, enhancing your body’s overall stability, coordination, and movement efficiency. Integrating MAT into your physical therapy routine can significantly improve your mobility and overall quality of life, empowering you to move more confidently.

Personal Training.

Balance and gait disorders impact your daily life, increasing the risk of falls and limiting your mobility. Fortunately, our personalized training programs at Fitness Matters are tailored to your specific needs and can address these issues through targeted exercises and activities designed to improve your strength, coordination, and overall functionality. Improve your stability, reduce the risk of falls, and enhance your overall quality of life with Personal Training at Fitness Matters!