Balance Therapy
Balance Therapy in Berkeley Heights, NJ
Balance Therapy is an exercise and physical therapy program designed to help improve balance and reduce the risk of falls.
Balance therapy can be beneficial for older adults who are at risk of falling due to age-related changes, as well as those with medical conditions that lead to poor balance, such as inner ear disorders or Parkinson’s disease.
At FYZICAL Berkeley Heights, we provide comprehensive balance therapy programs that address strength, mobility, coordination, and cardiovascular endurance while focusing on fall prevention.
What Does Balance Therapy Include?
Balance therapy typically involves a combination of strengthening exercises and balance activities that are tailored to meet the specific needs of each individual patient.
Some common exercises used in balance therapy include: walking heel-to-toe in a straight line; hopping; marching on the spot; hopping on one foot; stepping over objects placed at various heights; stretching; and standing on one leg for a set period of time.
In addition to these exercises, balance therapists may also use various balancing aids such as foam pads, balls, or step boxes to challenge their patient’s balance further.
At our balance therapy clinic in Berkeley Heights, NJ, our experienced licensed physical therapists create personalized treatment plans designed to optimize your body's ability to maintain balance and reduce your risk of falling.
Our goal is not only to prevent falls but also to maximize independence by helping you develop skills necessary for daily living activities like climbing stairs or getting out of a chair.
We understand that no two people are alike, so we tailor our balance therapy program to each person’s unique abilities and goals.
How Balance Therapy Works At FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers?
To start the process, our therapists will evaluate your current level of function, including strength, coordination, range of motion, and gait pattern.
Then they will design an individualized program specifically for you that focuses on improving your core stability through strengthening exercises along with functional training aimed at improving your overall quality of life.
Throughout the entire process, we strive to provide ongoing education about proper body mechanics while emphasizing proper posture when performing daily activities both in our clinic as well as when you return home.
What are the benefits of balance and gait training?
Balance and gait are inextricably linked because they tend to impact one another. Even if you don’t think you’re in danger of falling over, that “running out of steam” while walking that you’re attributing to aging muscles could be something else. The problem might actually be slowing reflexes, which make moving around seem more strenuous than it is. By the same token, poor posture and gait can throw off those reflexes.
In fact, the balance and gait systems both rely to some extent on a complex number of body systems that include the inner ear, the eyes, the joint-muscle-nerve system, and of course cognitive functions. Therapy that improves gait and balance works with all of these systems to keep them functioning in harmony.
Gait and balance training has a range of benefits, with avoiding injuries being at the top of the list. Beyond lessening your chances of falling or feeling dizzy, you’re also more likely to feel confident with your footing. In addition, those aches and pains from poor posture are likely to decrease as well.
What does balance and gait training entail?
What does balance and gait training entail?First, we’ll evaluate your gait to determine potential problems with strength and posture. Simple movements to test balance are also part of the assessment. Together, these basic evaluations point us in the direction of what to focus on in terms of therapy.
Hip and ankle weakness often leads to balance problems, as does poor posture. Strength and flexibility movements can help counteract these problems. These are often as simple as leg lifts while seated in a chair, or “knee marching.” We may also practice standing on one leg, walking heel-to-toe, or tracking the movement of your thumb with your eyes as you move it in various positions.
At FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers, our therapists realize how important balance and walking is for independent living, as well as for work activities, exercise, sports and enjoying life in general.
That’s why we provide a range of programs and therapies to evaluate and treat balance disorders:
Benefits of Our Balance Therapy Program
At FYZICAL Berkeley Heights, we offer a customized therapy program for each individual. Since each individual gets a tailored balance therapy program, he/she will get specific benefits.
However, the listed below are some of the most common and generalized benefits of getting balance therapy.
Improved Balance
FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers offers balance therapy that can help improve the overall balance of individuals suffering from poor coordination or lack of balance.
Balance therapy helps to build strength, coordination, and flexibility, which can help improve balance and reduce the risk of falls.
The exercises help to strengthen core muscles and increase range of motion, helping the individual feel more confident in their ability to stay balanced and steady during physical activities.
Increased Strength
The exercises used in supervision during balance therapy sessions can help increase an individual’s strength.
The strengthening activities allow the body to work on building up muscle mass and improving muscular strength over time, which can be beneficial for those who may have weak muscles due to age or injury.
Stronger muscles are essential for having good posture, being able to move around without pain or stiffness and even performing everyday tasks such as carrying groceries or walking up a flight of stairs with ease.
Enhanced Mobility
Many people suffer from limited mobility due to age-related issues, injury, or chronic diseases like arthritis that affects joints and muscles.
Balance therapy helps by providing a safe environment where individuals can safely practice stretches and exercises designed specifically for them that can help improve their mobility over time.
Exercises used in supervision include stretching, weight-bearing activities, dynamic movements, postural education, and proprioceptive training that all target specific areas of need for enhanced mobility.
Improved Posture
Poor posture is a common issue that many people struggle with but don’t realize until it’s too late - leading to chronic pain throughout the back and neck area as well as restricted movement due to tightness in certain muscles.
By utilizing different exercises in supervision aimed at strengthening core muscles while teaching proper postural techniques, balance therapy helps improve posture so individuals can stand tall and proud without any pain or discomfort holding them back from daily activities or hobbies they may enjoy doing.
Reduced Risk of Falls
As mentioned before, one of the main benefits of balance therapy is improved coordination which leads to a reduced risk of falls.
Older adults have weaker bones and slower reaction times, putting them at a higher risk for dangerous situations during physical activity. It includes everyday activities like walking on uneven terrain or climbing stairs, so it's crucial to take these factors into consideration.
Enhanced Coordination
As we age, our bodies tend to lose coordination due to increased joint stiffness or reduced muscle strength resulting from conditions such as arthritis or stroke-related damage.
With proper balance therapy from FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers, these impairments can be addressed through targeted exercises that hone coordination skills while concurrently building strength and improving mobility.
By engaging both the brain and body through coordinated drills under the supervision of our skilled physical therapists, you will gain enhanced coordination capabilities for improved balance and safety in your everyday life.
Improved Quality Of Life
As we age, our ability to move around without the fear of falling becomes essential to maintain our overall quality of life. This allows us to stay active and enjoy social engagements without the worry of safety or stability when navigating new terrain or participating in activities with unfamiliar surfaces or objects.
FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers provide personalized balance treatments that enhance your quality of life by boosting your confidence in facing challenges such as walking on uneven surfaces or picking up objects from the floor without help.
Increased Independence
Balance therapy helps people regain their independence by improving their motor functioning. It reduces their reliance on family members or caregivers for daily activities such as climbing stairs or dressing.
Asking for help can be hard for many people because they fear they won't be able to manage tasks on their own. FYZICAL Berkeley Heights offers individualized treatments with specialized programs tailored to the patient's needs. This helps them regain independence and build strength and confidence.
Why Choose FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers?
At FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers, we recognize that improving your balance can help increase independence and safety by reducing the risk of falls.
Our experienced physical therapists create customized treatment plans designed specifically for you while providing ongoing education about proper posture and body mechanics so that you can live more safely at home without worrying about sustaining injuries from a fall.
Our services focus on core stability along with strengthening exercises tailored towards meeting your specific needs while maximizing safety during everyday activities like going up or down stairs - giving you peace of mind knowing that you have taken steps towards preventing potential falls from happening in the future!
Supervised exercise sessions at FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers are tailored to each individual's needs, targeting specific areas for coordination improvement.
Our trained experts provide assistance if required, reducing the risk of falls and serious injuries. Consistent exercise practice with balance massage therapy instills a sense of personal control, increasing confidence and preventing accidents.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does A Balance Therapist Do?
A balance therapist is a type of physical therapist that specializes in helping patients improve their balance. Balance therapy can be used to help people with a variety of conditions, including vestibular disorders, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis.
What Therapy Is Best For Balance?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best type of therapy for balance will vary depending on the individual's specific needs and medical condition. However, some of the most commonly used therapies for improving balance include vestibular rehabilitation, strength training, and balance training.
Is There Physical Therapy For Balance Issues?
Yes, there is physical therapy for balance issues. Physical therapists can help patients improve their balance by developing an individualized treatment plan that may include balance physical therapy exercises, stretches, and other activities.
What Can I Expect At Balance Physical Therapy?
Balance physical therapy is typically conducted by a licensed physical therapist who has experience working with patients with balance disorders.
During therapy, the therapist will assess the patient's balance and then develop a customized treatment plan to address the patient's specific needs. Treatment may include exercises, stretches, and other activities designed to improve the patient's balance.
At FYZICAL Berkeley Heights, we offer a range of balance therapy services to help you achieve your goals. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and start your journey toward improved balance and mobility.
Ready to “balance” your life again?
With our dedicated team of physical therapists behind you, you’ll regain confidence in navigating challenging terrain and learning how to avoid dizzy spells. You may even be able to leave that cane or walker behind!