Physical Therapy in Wayne, PA (on The Western Main Line) Can Help You Recover From a Balance and Gait Disorder
We’ve all experienced dizziness at some point in our lives, and we’re sure you’d agree it’s not a pleasant sensation. Nobody wants to feel as if the ground beneath their feet is giving way! This sensation is common in people with balance and gait disorders.
Is it common for you to feel dizzy and unbalanced? Do you look for walls, railings, or other objects to help you stay balanced as you move? Is your equilibrium out of whack? If you fit this description, you may have a balance or gait problem that needs to be addressed.
Request a physical therapy appointment at our Wayne, PA on the Western Main Line office today. Our specialty services on balance and gait disorders at Seven Summits Therapy & Fitness can help you improve your quality of life!
How do balance and gait disorders differ?
Many people confuse gait and balance disorders. However, there are significant distinctions between the two impairments.
Gait disorders
In your walking and running patterns, gait abnormalities cause irregular motions. These abnormalities may become more pronounced as you age. Strokes, inner ear issues, foot problems, and even something as simple as ill-fitting shoes can all exacerbate a gait disorder.
Balance disorder
Balance problems can be both physical and mental, as your brain may think you’re moving when you’re not. When walking, you may feel as if you are falling or stumbling. You may also experience dizziness and blurred vision. Changes in joint strength, mobility, and proprioception (the ability of your body to sense movement, action, and location) all have an impact on your balance.
Why am I experiencing a balance or gait disorder?
A number of factors can cause balance and gait disorders. Your vestibular system controls your sense of position, which is also known as “proprioception.” Many balance issues are caused by vestibular system dysfunction.
A problem with your balance or gait may be caused or exacerbated by underlying musculoskeletal and neurological issues. Our Wayne, PA on the Western Main Line physical therapy clinic, fortunately, can assist you in regaining your balance and correcting your gait.
The following are some examples of common vestibular conditions that cause balance issues:
BPPV
(benign paroxysmal positional vertigo)
BPPV occurs when calcium debris in the inner ear breaks off, causing balance problems.
Neurological
Problems
There are hundreds of different neurological conditions that can cause balance and gait problems. Parkinson’s disease, a brain injury, or a stroke are all possibilities.
Injuries and
illnesses
Even if your brain and nervous system are perfectly coordinated, a sudden injury, disease, accident, or other illness-causing muscle weakness can throw your balance off, making it difficult to stay upright.
Physical therapy can help you recover from balance and gait disorders!
The most effective treatment for balance and gait disorders is physical therapy. When you arrive for your first appointment at Seven Summits Therapy & Fitness, our physical therapist will perform a thorough physical examination of your balance, gait, stance, medical history, and symptoms. Your personalized treatment plan will be based on the findings of your evaluation and will be tailored to your specific needs. It could include the following modalities:
Vestibular rehabilitation
If you have a balance or gait disorder, Wayne, PA on the Western Main Line physical therapist will teach you specific exercises to help move the calcium debris to the appropriate parts of your ear. Vestibular therapy works to improve your vision, nerves, muscles, and the vestibular system as a whole to help you maintain a steady balance.
Gait retraining exercises
Retraining is the process of learning proper movement techniques, which can sometimes correct gait abnormalities. Runners, in particular, can benefit from this type of therapy.
Stretches
Stretching will help you improve your flexibility and range of motion. It will also give you more control and allow you to respond to your movements faster. Stretching prevents your muscles from becoming overly tight and stiff, which reduces your risk of injury.
Strengthening exercises
The areas of your body that need to be strengthened will be determined during your initial evaluation. You will learn muscle-building exercises that will make moving around much easier and reduce your risk of injury.
Ready to return to the life you love? Contact Seven Summits Therapy & Fitness to find relief from a balance and gait disorder!
You don’t have to put up with balance and gait problems. Our physical therapist, Brady O’Mara, MSPT, can show you the most effective methods for improving your balance and walking skills. If you are having trouble staying steady, it is critical that you seek assistance because you do not want to fall and injure yourself. Make an appointment with Seven Summits Therapy & Fitness today to unlock the relief you’ve been looking for.
