How Physical Therapy Can Help You Find Better Balance and Stability
Stand and Walk With Confidence And A Sure Step
Do you ever feel unsteady on your feet? Have you noticed it’s getting harder to navigate stairs or uneven surfaces? Maybe you’ve even had a close call or two, and now you’re worried about falling.
Feeling nervous about falling is reasonable, especially if you’re older. Falls are one of the most common causes of injury and hospitalization among older adults, although they can impact younger people, particularly if they’re recovering from surgery or injury. Furthermore, balance challenges can dramatically impact your quality of life, making it tough to stay active and independent.
At Taylor Rehab, we understand your concern. However, we also want to make it clear that falls are not an inevitable part of aging! There are steps you can take to enhance your overall balance and stability, which can help keep you on your feet for years to come. Even better, you don’t have to do it alone. Our team of movement specialists is here to help.
Why Do We Need Balance And Stability?
Firstly, balance and stability aren’t the same thing, although they are connected:
- Balance is the ability to maintain your center of gravity over your base of support. Essentially, it means you can stay upright.
- Stability is the ability to resist forces that threaten to disrupt balance, such as a bump in the sidewalk or a playful nudge from a grandchild.
To reduce your risk of falls, you want to enhance both of these factors. Standing on one foot might mean you have good balance, but if you have poor stability, it won’t necessarily protect you from falling.
How Do I Know If I Need to Work on Balance And Stability?
Many factors can contribute to balance and stability problems, including the following:
- Age-related decline in muscle strength, mobility, and reaction time
- A history of falls
- Vision challenges
- Certain medications
- Neurological conditions like stroke or Parkinson’s disease
- Medical conditions that affect mobility, such as arthritis
- Inner ear disorders (which often cause dizziness and vertigo)
Generally speaking, if you’re experiencing symptoms like feeling unsteady or dizzy, frequent falls or near falls, difficulty walking or turning, or needing to use furniture or walls for support, reach out to Taylor Rehab. We’ll help you develop a program that addresses your specific needs.
How Physical Therapy Helps Enhance Balance And Stability
Physical therapy addresses the underlying factors contributing to your balance or stability challenges. That’s why our team will also begin with a thorough evaluation to help us understand the reasons for your fall risk.
We’ll discuss your health history, evaluate your balance, strength, and movement patterns with a few simple movement screens, and learn more about your concerns. That way, we can blend various treatment techniques to create a unique, effective treatment program.
Some of these techniques might include:
Strength Training
- Good core and lower body strength are essential for enhanced stability. A strong core, in particular, helps stabilize your body so you can stay on your feet.
Balance and Proprioceptive Training
- This technique focuses on improving your body’s awareness of its position in space. By challenging your balance with exercises on unstable surfaces or with your eyes closed, you can retrain your body to react more quickly and efficiently to changes in your environment.
Gait Training
- An impaired walking pattern can affect your balance and increase your risk of falling. If necessary, we’ll help correct these impairments with personalized, targeted exercises.
Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT)
- If you’re struggling with vestibular dysfunction, we’ll guide you through specific exercises that retrain your brain to understand signals from your inner ear and improve balance.
Functional Activities
- We’ll teach you how to execute functional activities, like walking, turning your head while walking or standing, reaching for something on a shelf while standing, and carrying objects.
Take the First Step Towards Better Balance
Ready to take charge of your balance and regain your confidence? The Taylor Rehab team is here to help you achieve your goals.
Call us today to schedule your first appointment and take the first step towards a more stable and active future.
Say Goodbye to Pain – Get Started with PT Now!
Return to Taylor Rehab and Let’s Continue Your Journey to Wellness Together. Schedule Your Appointment Now!
November Word Scramble
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Answer Key
cranberry
stuffing
cornucopia
family
parade
thankful
Upcoming Free Workshops
Free Shoulder/Rotator Cuff Pain Workshop
Wednesday, November 12th
5:30 pm
Service Spotlight: Dry Needling
Dry needling in Mooresville, NC is a safe and effective method of treatment provided by Taylor Rehab Physical Therapy on Welton Way and Gateway Blvd to reduce pain and muscle tension, while simultaneously improving mobility. It has been proven to treat numerous musculoskeletal issues, including acute and chronic injuries, overuse injuries, neck pain, headaches, back pain, sciatica, muscle spasms, muscle strains, tendinitis, knee pain, hip pain, fibromyalgia, tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, and more.
If you are in Mooresville, NC looking for relief, or if you’d like to gain more information on how dry needling could benefit you, request an appointment at Taylor Rehab Physical Therapy today!
Why should I choose dry needling in Mooresville, NC?
There are a large variety of musculoskeletal issues that can be treated with dry needling. When paired with our traditional exercise-based physical therapy treatments and advanced manual therapy techniques, we have found that the vast majority of our patients achieved the pain-free goals they were aiming towards.
After conducting a comprehensive evaluation to assess the nature of your condition, our physical therapist will let you know if this is the best course of treatment for you. We have used dry needling to treat several diverse conditions, from chronic pain sufferers to athletes experiencing delayed onset muscle soreness.
Will it hurt me?
Most of our patients report feeling little to no discomfort when undergoing these treatments. Our highly-trained physical therapists on Welton Way and Gateway Blvd know how to make the process as painless as possible; however, some patients may still experience a “twitch response” with the insertion of the needle.
This is comparable to a quick muscle cramp or ache. The 24-48 hours following a dry needling treatment may also result in muscle soreness, which should go away on its own. Sore muscles can be treated at home by applying ice and/or heat packs and drinking plenty of fluids.
Get Started Today!
Dry needling in Mooresville, NC can speed up recovery time and allow you to return to your daily life as quickly as possible. A video library on dry needling as well as other interventions is located on our website. If you want to know more about our services, don’t hesitate to request an appointment at Taylor Rehab Physical Therapy on Welton Way or Gateway Blvd today. We’ll get you started on the path toward recovery!
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Don’t Let Your Benefits Go to Waste Use Your Deductible Before the Year Ends!
Did you know your physical therapy sessions could be free or reduced if your insurance deductible has already been met? Now’s the perfect time to schedule those sessions you’ve been putting off!
Whether it’s addressing lingering pain, improving mobility, or just staying on top of your health, Taylor Rehab is here to help you finish the year strong –and save money while doing it.
Call us today to check your benefits and book your appointment before the year ends!
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Healthy Recipe: Healthy Spinach Dip
- 2 x 10 oz packages chopped spinach, frozen
- 1/2 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 large garlic cloves, minced + 1 small garlic clove, grated
- 1 medium carrot, finely grated
- 2 tbsp oil, for frying
- 2 cups Greek or regular plain yogurt, at least 2% fat
- 1/4 cup mayo
- 1 tsp salt
- Ground black pepper, to taste
Directions: Defrost spinach in a colander overnight or microwave it. Squeeze out excess water and place in a medium bowl. In a non-stick skillet over medium heat, sauté onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, and carrot in a bit of oil for about 7 minutes. Add to the spinach along with yogurt, mayo, salt, and pepper. Mix well. Grate in more garlic to taste. Chill for a few hours if possible. Serve with pretzel chips or brown rice crackers.
