We offer many options to treat balance problems, based on each person’s needs. We evaluate many systems of the body, including:

• Muscles and joints
• The inner ear
• Eye-tracking ability
• Skin sensation
• Proprioception (position awareness in the joints)
• Circulation

Physical therapists are movement experts who prescribe active movement techniques and physical exercise to improve these systems. Exercises may include those for:

• Strengthening
• Stretching
• Position awareness
• Visual tracking
• Inner ear retraining

Vestibular Therapy Services

• Canalith repositioning/Epley maneuver
• Habituation techniques
• Adaptation exercises
• Gaze stabilization exercises
• Balance training
• Gait training
• Transfer training
• Fall prevention
• Self-management techniques
• Patient and family education

Patient Benefits

• Reduce falls risk
• Reduce the fear of falling
• Improve mobility
• Improve balance
• Improve strength
• Improve movement
• Improve flexibility and posture
• Increase activity levels

“Life is like riding a bicycle, to keep your balance you must keep moving.”
Albert Einstein

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):  

• One-fourth of Americans aged 65+ fall each year.
• Falls are the leading cause of fatal injury and the most common cause of nonfatal trauma-related hospital admissions among older adults. 
• The older adult population is projected to increase by 55% by 2060, hence fall rates and health care spending are projected to rise.
• Falls result in more than 3 million injuries treated in emergency departments annually, including over 800,000 hospitalizations. 

Balance problems make it hard for people to maintain stable posture and stay upright when standing, walking and even sitting. Balance problems are more common in older adults and are the most common reason they seek help from a doctor. If balance problems go untreated, they can lead to falls. Physical therapists can help people of all ages improve their balance. They perform balance testing and develop treatment plans that include physical activity to help improve the strength, stability, and movement of people with balance problems.  One needs strong muscles in their feet and ankles.

Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) is a specialized form of therapy intended to alleviate symptoms caused by vestibular disorders. The vestibular system is responsible for collecting information about your balance.  It sits inside the inner ear beside the hearing organs. It is an exercise-based program primarily designed to reduce vertigo and dizziness, visual disturbance, and/or imbalance, and falls. After an injury to the vestibular system occurs, the central nervous system can compensate for reduced function of the inner ears. Essentially, the brain copes with the disorientating signals coming from the vestibular system by learning to rely more on alternative signals coming from other systems in the body to maintain balance. This is achieved through various exercise strategies outlined below. With compensation, the patient’s symptoms can be alleviated which allows them to return to normal function.