BALANCE TRAINING
Do any of these symptoms look familiar?
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Unsteadiness on your feet
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Frequent falls or fear of falling
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“Wobbly legs”
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Difficulty walking
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Inability to balance on one leg
Physical Therapy Can Help You Improve Your Balance
General imbalance or unsteadiness is something that a Vestibular Orthopedic Physical Therapist can assess and help you manage. At Connect Physical Therapy, we are uniquely trained to specifically assess the systems that help your balance and we individually design balance exercises for you. Vestibular Orthopedic PT’s are trained to assess the three systems of balance as well as the orthopedic issues that cause poor balance. Our training in orthopedic analysis includes the assessment of biomechanics, posture, and joint movements. Each patient receives a specialized treatment plan and home exercise program which focuses on improving steadiness and reducing the risk and fear of falls.
Andrea
Lairson
Our Specialist in
Balance Training
Andrea is certified in Vestibular Rehabilitation and Concussion by The American Institute of Balance. In addition to her work in vestibular and concussion training, Andrea is an experienced orthopedic PT and Athletic Trainer of 23 years, working with a wide variety of bone and joint related issues. She has certification and training in T’ai Chi and Yoga which is used for fall prevention to promote a return to safe activity.
What to Expect When Coming to Connect PT for Balance Training:
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Comprehensive evaluation
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Treatment for orthopedic issues (manual therapy, flexibility, strengthening)
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Balance exercises to improve ankle and hip strategies
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Vestibular therapy if necessary
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Home exercise program
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Guidance and support throughout your recovery
First 50-minute evaluation:
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Detailed history and review of symptoms
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Evaluation of the vestibular/inner ear “balance”system using specific standardized balance tests
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Assessment of the interaction between your 3 systems of balance
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the vestibular system
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the sensorimotor system (joint mechanoreceptors telling you where your body is in space)
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the visual system
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Identify orthopedic issues: lack of flexibility, leg and core weakness, faulty biomechanics
Follow up visits include:
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Postural awareness training and exercise
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Individualized vestibular rehabilitation exercise
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Training in hip and ankle strategies used in standing balance and in dynamic walking balance
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Improve the interaction of the vestibular, sensorimotor, and visual systems in balance
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Exercise to address flexibility and strength in key muscle groups
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Implement modifications of activities to reduce fall risk
Final Visit:
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Discuss goals and review any questions
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Repeat standardized balance test for comparison
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Ensure complete understanding of balance strategies
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Finalize Home Exercise Program
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Guidance and support to return to a safe active lifestyle