Improve Balance & Stability: Physical Therapy Techniques

The term balance in physical therapy means to keep your center of gravity over the central mass of your body. A combination of muscles, vision, the central nervous system and the inner ear affect balance. Physical re-training can improve balance.

Causes

• Balance problems are caused by many conditions. Examples are inner ear problems, spinal injuries, head injuries, stroke, medications, Parkinson's disease, joint replacement, and multiple sclerosis. Athletes also seek physical therapy to improve general coordination to enhance their skills.

Therapy Benefits

• Receiving physical therapy can improve coordination, posture and balance. Therapy also improves overall strength. A physical therapist can assess balance issues and develop a program to help improve balance. The therapist assists with exercises and monitors improvement.

Therapist Recommendations

• Physical therapist Kim Fox, MPT, suggests performing exercises to music as it helps with balance, keeping good posture while working out, and performing visualization techniques of perfect balance. She also recommends distracting yourself with a mental task while working on balance exercises and staying relaxed.