Balance Physical Therapy Charleston, SC
Problems maintaining balance affect three out of four Americans over the age of 70. The result of dizziness, vertigo, and imbalance is that one-third of people 65 and older fall every year, and falling is the number one injury that causes death among senior adults. Staying stable on your feet is crucial to your health, well-being, and ability to remain active. Learn more about our balance physical therapy treatments at Coastal Movement Specialists, and schedule an appointment today.
What is a Balance Disorder?
A balance disorder is a condition that causes you to feel dizzy or unsteady. While most people experience an occasional dizzy spell, balance disorders result from an abnormality in one of your body’s systems that function to support normal balance. These systems include your:
Vestibular System (Inner Ear)
Vision (Eyes)
Somatosensory System (Muscles, Bones & Joints)
Cardiovascular System
+ Balance Disorder Symptoms
A problem keeping your balance can interfere with your daily activities and lead to frustration and depression. This makes it crucial to identify the symptoms and seek treatment as early as possible. The common symptoms of a balance disorder include:
- Dizziness or spinning sensation (vertigo)
- Blurry vision
- Unsteadiness when walking
- Recent onset of falls
- Difficulty hearing
- Fatigue
+ What Causes Balance Disorders?
Balance problems occur more often as you age due to a decline in the function of the vestibular system, vision, and somatosensory system. However, aging is not the only cause of disequilibrium. Balance disorders can have several other causes, such as:
- Weak muscles
- Stiff joints
- Medications
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Medical conditions such as stroke, peripheral neuropathy, and arthritis
- And more
+ Diagnosing a Balance Disorder
At Coastal Movement Specialists, we conduct a thorough examination that includes strength, coordination, vestibular and balance tests. We also observe your gait and visual tracking ability to help assess your general physical capabilities and fall risk. An essential part of your assessment is your health history and answers to questions such as:
- Have you fallen recently?
- How often do you feel unstable on your feet?
- Has your lifestyle changed due to balance problems?
- Do you get regular exercise?
- Do you feel like the room spins around you?
+ How Physical Therapy Can Help
At Coastal Movement Specialists, our physical therapists receive specialized training in the multiple body systems that help you sustain good balance for an active lifestyle. To help improve your balance, we use various movement techniques such as:
- Strength training to increase muscular strength and endurance
- Stretching exercises to enhance joint mobility
- Kinesthetic exercises to improve proprioception
- Visual tracking exercises to improve reaction time
- Vestibular training to improve inner ear function
+ When Should I Seek Help with My Balance?
We can help anyone improve their balance and prevent the onset of disequilibrium by recommending various exercises to keep you strong, mobile, flexible, and stable. However, if you believe you may have a balance disorder causing falls, difficulty walking, vertigo, or dizziness, please contact us for a thorough evaluation as soon as possible.
Schedule an Appointment
To learn more about how physical therapy can help improve your balance, prevent falls, and improve your walking, schedule an appointment today with our physical therapists at Coastal Movement Specialists. Located on Johns Island, SC, we serve the entire Charleston area.