Can Physical Therapy Improve My Balance?

Good balance makes maintaining your center of gravity easier, so you’re steady on your feet. 

But if you have weak muscles or a vestibular condition that leaves you feeling wobbly, it can impact your ability to work, exercise, and engage in other activities. You may even avoid your hobbies if you’re concerned about breaking a bone.

Balance issues are common, affecting about 15% of American adults. The good news is that physical therapy can help restore your equilibrium and build confidence along the way. 

At North Valley Orthopedic Institute in Mission Hills and Tarzana, California, Dr. Ramin Ganjianpour regularly prescribes physical therapy to support patients with poor balance. 

Keep reading to learn how it works and why it’s a great option for balance-related issues.

Understanding balance issues

Humans are bipeds: We move around using two legs. While this comes naturally for most of us, medical conditions such as concussions, multiple sclerosis (MS), and Parkinson’s disease can make it difficult to stand upright and move confidently. 

So too can aging. As you age, you naturally lose muscle mass, which affects balance and increases your risk of falls.

Without treatment, these balance or vestibular issues can limit your independence and quality of life. However, you don’t have to suffer. Often, targeted stretches and strengthening exercises can build your core muscles and help you move confidently on your feet.

How physical therapy helps

Physical therapy is typically used in recovery after surgery or a medical event, like a stroke.

Vestibular therapy, a subspecialty of physical therapy, uses hands-on care and targeted exercises to help prevent dizziness and improve balance. It can also encourage muscle strength and reduce the risk of falling, allowing patients to remain mobile and active.

To ensure positive results, our team focuses on three areas:

The vestibular labyrinth

The vestibular labyrinth is part of your inner ear. It has several sensory components that send signals to your brain, helping you adjust muscle movements and stay steady on your feet. 

Vestibular physical therapy focuses on retraining these areas to reduce sensitivity to movements like turning your head quickly or looking up, thus preventing falls. 

The eyes

Your eyes help your brain interpret the world around you. More specifically, they provide essential information about depth perception and how close your body is to other objects. 

These cues make it easier to maintain balance, but a disconnect between your eyes and brain makes falls more likely.

Gaze-stabilization exercises and other physical therapy practices can help your visual and vestibular systems work together, reducing the risk of dizziness and balance problems.

The joints, skin, and muscles

Your joints, skin, and muscles are crucial to physical movement. Like your eyes and vestibular system, they send signals to your brain, helping it interpret your body’s position in space. 

Because muscle loss is a natural part of aging, physical therapy can help counteract its effects by supporting your balance and gait.

What can you expect during physical therapy for balance?

No two physical therapy plans are alike. After discussing your symptoms and reviewing your medical history, we make personalized treatment recommendations. That usually includes eye movement control exercises, balance retraining, stretches, and strengthening techniques. 

We typically start with a series of 6-8 physical therapy sessions. However, if your symptoms continue or worsen, additional sessions may be necessary. Sticking to your treatment plan and attending scheduled appointments can make a big difference in your results.

Contact us if you struggle with poor balance

Poor balance can make activities like climbing stairs or getting into the car challenging, even frightening. Thankfully, physical therapy can help support your mobility and reduce your risk of falls and other injuries. 

Call North Valley Orthopedic Institute today or request an appointment online.