Balance Problems: Is There A Solution?

Having good balance means being able to control and maintain your body's position, whether you are moving or remaining still. Good balance helps you walk without staggering, get up from a chair without falling, climb stairs without tripping, and bend over without falling. Balance problems are among the most common reasons that older adults seek help from a doctor, but can these problems be fixed or improved?

What Is Balance?

When people think of balance, they typically think of is a muscle, joint or organ. It is a function. Balance keeps us upright against gravity when we are still or moving through space. All balance problems and solutions center around this fact. Multiple aspects of our bodies contribute to our balance. A loss of function in any one area, or several different areas, can result in balance problems.

Most of us learn to balance and walk at a very early age. We spend most of our lives doing so without a thought or concern. Our balance works in the background for us to walk and go from place to place without trouble. When someone begins to have trouble with their balance, naturally, they continue to expect it to just work like it always has. It is at this point when falls can start to occur if the problem is not addressed.

Can Exercise Help Your Balance?

A few years ago, I performed balance screenings at a health club, where I had the pleasure of meeting a lady who was in her mid-70s. She told me about all the aquatics classes she had attended and all the exercises she had been doing at the facility, but she still felt off balance and struggled not to trip over her feet every day.

She was, of course, frustrated and asked, "How can I do all these exercises and still have trouble with my balance?"

I smiled at her and let her know it wasn't a lack of exercise that was the problem. 

Well why was she still having balance problems?

Aquatic exercise can be very beneficial for cardio and strength, but you cannot improve your balance in a pool.  We must work on controlling ourselves against gravity. In addition to the aquatic exercise, she had a series of machines she did 3 times a week. Again, excellent for strength, range of motion, and overall health, but all the exercises had her sitting down at the machine.

When I evaluated her, I identified that she struggled clearing her right foot when she was walking. As it turned out, most of her falls were from catching her toes. She had not thought about it.

Can Rehabilitation Help Balance Problems?

While we may think that solutions to balance problems is a simple fix, that is not the case. Not all balance problems are easily corrected. The medical condition affecting your balance will determine the course of action and outcomes.  Physical therapists commonly see patients with different conditions that lead to balance problems.

Everyone is unique, and so is the plan of care a physical therapist develops for them. Individualized care has led to success in helping people with their balance and is a big reason why I have spent 20+ years in this area of rehabilitation.

So, yes, balance problems can be cured or improved upon. The key is to seek out advice or consultation from a qualified physical therapist who specializes in balance. Don’t assume it will just get better on its own. Implementing a plan put together by you and your physical therapist that addresses your specific balance problem can help keep you safe and steady as you get older.