Get Back On Your Feet With Fairfield, IA Physical Therapy
We have all felt dizzy at some point in our lives, and we are sure you would agree, it is not a pleasant sensation. No one wants to feel like the whole world is slipping out from under them! This sensation is fairly common in people who have balance and gait disorders.
Is feeling dizzy and unbalanced a common occurrence for you? Do you find yourself looking for walls, railings, or other objects to help you stay balanced as you move? Is your equilibrium no longer what it once was? If this describes you, you may have a balance or gait issue that needs to be addressed.
Request an appointment with our Fairfield, IA physical therapy office today. At Fairfield Universal Therapy, our specialty services on balance and gait disorders can help to improve your quality of life!
Is There A Difference Between Balance And Gait Disorders?
Gait and balance problems are often confused with one another, but there are key differences between the two impairments.
Balance disorder
Balance issues can be both physical and mental, as your brain may believe you are moving when you are not. You may feel as if you are falling or stumbling when walking. You may also experience blurred vision and dizziness. Changes in joint strength, mobility, and proprioception (your body’s ability to sense movement, action, and location) all affect your balance.
Gait disorders
Gait abnormalities cause irregular motions in your walking and running patterns. As you get older, these abnormalities may become more pronounced. Strokes, inner ear problems, foot problems, and even something as simple as ill-fitting shoes can all worsen a gait disorder.
Why Am I Experiencing A Balance or Gait Disorder?
A variety of factors can contribute to balance and gait issues. Your vestibular system regulates your sense of position, also known as “proprioception.” Many balance problems are caused by vestibular system problems.
Underlying musculoskeletal and neurological issues may also cause or exacerbate a problem with your balance or gait. Fortunately, our Fairfield, IA physical therapy clinic can help you regain your balance and correct your gait.
Some common vestibular conditions that cause balance problems include:
Neurological problems
There are hundreds of different neurological problems that can cause balance and gait issues. They could be Parkinson’s disease, a brain injury, or a stroke.
BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo)
BPPV occurs when calcium debris breaks off in the inner ear, causing balance issues.
Injuries and illnesses
Even if your brain and neurological system are perfectly coordinated, a sudden injury, disease, accident, or other illness that causes muscle weakness can throw your balance off, making it difficult to stay upright.
Physical Therapy Can Usher In The Relief You Have Been Searching For
Physical therapy is the most effective treatment for balance and gait disorders. When you arrive at Fairfield Universal Therapy for your first appointment, our physical therapist will conduct a thorough physical examination of your balance, gait, stance, medical history, and symptoms. Your custom treatment plan will be based on the results of your evaluation and will meet your specific requirements. It may include the following:
Strengthening exercises
Your initial evaluation will determine the areas of your body that need to be strengthened. You will learn muscle-building exercises that will make it much easier for you to move around and reduce your risk of injury.
Gait retraining exercises
Retraining is learning proper technique for movement, and can sometimes correct abnormalities in gait. Runners can especially benefit from this type of therapy.
Stretches
Stretching will aid in the improvement of your flexibility and range of motion. It will also give you more control and allow you to react to your movements more quickly. Stretching will keep your muscles from becoming overly tight and stiff, lowering your risk of injury.
Vestibular rehabilitation
If you have a balance or gait disorder, our Fairfield, IA physical therapist will teach you specific exercises to move the calcium debris to the proper parts of your ear. To maintain a steady balance, vestibular therapy works to improve your vision, nerves, muscles, and the vestibular system as a whole.
Contact Our Fairfield, IA Physical Therapy Clinic Today!
Balance and gait problems do not have to rule your life. Our Fairfield, IA physical therapists can teach you the best techniques for improving your balance and walking ability.
If you are having difficulty staying steady, it is critical to seek help, as you do not want to fall and injure yourself. Request an appointment at Fairfield Universal Therapy today to find the relief you’ve been searching for.