Get Back Up On Your Feet With Physiotherapy in Vancouver
We have all experienced a loss of balance at some point in our lives, and this situation gets worse the older we get. Nobody wants to fall and break a bone! This fear is common in people with balance and gait disorders.
Do you look for walls, railings, furniture, or other objects to help you stay balanced as you move? Is your equilibrium out of whack? You may have a balance or gait problem that needs to be addressed.
Request a physiotherapy appointment with our Vancouver office today. Our specialty services on balance and gait disorders at Physio For Life can help improve your quality of life!
The difference between balance and gait disorders
Although the symptoms of balance and gait disorders can be similar, these are two different conditions.
Balance disorder
Balance problems can come from dysfunctions in multiple systems: the brain, inner ear, eyes, and musculoskeletal system including the neck. These systems help to keep your body vertical in relation to the horizon.
Normally, the eyes, ears, and neck send signals to your brain about the position of your head and body in relation to gravity, the horizon, and linear motion. The brain then gives signals to the body to take the necessary steps to right itself if there are any disturbances. The nerves transmit the signals and the muscles respond by contracting in such a way that a fall is prevented (postural adjustments, balance reactions, protective stepping).
You can see that a problem in any of these steps can lead to a balance disorder such as:
- A head injury affects the brain’s ability to interpret sensory signals and activate muscles.
- A cerebellar disorder affects the part of the brain (cerebellum) primarily responsible for balance and posture.
- Nerve conduction problems affect the ability of nerves to transmit signals either to the brain or to the muscles.
- Inner ear imbalance (such as Benign Paroxysmal Positioning Vertigo BPPV) sends mixed signals to the brain.
- Vision problems lead to mixed signals and mal-alignment of the head and neck.
- Neck mal-alignment causes irritation or compression of nerves and arteries that carry signals and blood flow to your ear and brain.
- Changes in muscle strength, joint mobility, and proprioception (the ability of your body to sense movement and location) affect your ability to respond quickly and appropriately to losses of balance.
Gait disorders
Gait abnormalities cause irregular motions in your walking and running patterns. These abnormalities may become more pronounced as you age. Stroke, inner ear issues, foot and knee problems, and even something as simple as ill-fitting shoes can all exacerbate a gait disorder.
Causes of balance and gait disorders
Your vestibular system is in charge of your sensation of position, sometimes called “proprioception.” Vestibular system dysfunction is the root of many balance problems.
A problem with your balance or gait may be caused or worsened by underlying musculoskeletal and neurological issues.
Our Vancouver physiotherapy center, fortunately, can assist you in regaining your balance and correcting your gait.
Here are some examples of common vestibular conditions that cause balance issues:
Neurological problems
Hundreds of different neurological conditions can cause balance and gait problems. Parkinson’s disease, a brain injury, or a stroke are all possibilities. These affect your nerves and the signals from your brain to the muscles.
Injuries and illnesses
Even if your brain and nervous system are perfectly coordinated, injuries & illnesses can disrupt your daily lifestyle. Sudden injury, disease, accident, or illness causing muscle weakness can throw your balance off and make you feel as if the world is slipping out from under you.
BPPV
(benign paroxysmal positional vertigo)
BPPV, or benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, occurs when calcium crystals in the inner ear break off and float around in the fluid-filled canals. This movement can make your brain think you are moving when you are stationary.
Recover from balance and gait disorders with physiotherapy in Vancouver
Physiotherapy, where appropriate, is one option for the treatment of balance and gait disorders. When you arrive for your first appointment at Physio For Life, a posture, balance, and gait assessment will be performed.
Your personalized treatment plan will be based on the findings of the evaluation. The plan will be tailored to your specific needs. Some of the most common exercises and modalities our physiotherapists employ are:
Gait retraining exercises
Movement retraining is the process of learning proper movement strategies, which often corrects gait abnormalities. Runners can benefit from this type of therapy.
Stretches
Stretching will improve your flexibility and range of motion. Stretching also gives you more control over your movements and prevents your muscles from becoming overly tight and stiff, which reduces the risk of injury.
Vestibular rehabilitation
If you have a balance or gait disorder, our Vancouver physiotherapist will teach you specific maneuvers to move the dislodged calcium crystals to the appropriate parts of your ear. Vestibular therapy works to enhance your use of vision, nerves, muscles, and the vestibular system as a whole to help you maintain a steady balance.
Strengthening exercises
Additionally, the areas of your body that need to be strengthened will be determined during your assessment. You will learn muscle-building exercises that will make moving easier while improving agility and reaction time.
Call Physio For Life to find relief from balance and gait disorders
If you are having trouble staying steady, it is critical that you seek assistance in-person or virtually with a helper to assist you. After all, you don’t want to sustain an injury, do you?
Our Vancouver physiotherapists can show you the most effective methods for improving your balance and walking skills.
Request an appointment with one of our Balance and Gait Physiotherapists at Physio For Life today to get back your equilibrium. Call us at 778-245-9746.
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