Balance or Gait Disorders?
Balance and gait disorders are functional problems that can hinder free movement, good posture, and the ability to stay upright. They are more common in older people, although possible in other ages.
First of all, let’s look at the differences between these disorders, although they may seem similar.
- Balance dysfunction may be physical or mental, causing the brain to think you are moving while you are not.
- Gait disorders influence the pattern of your walking.
Both of the above mobility difficulties can lead to a wide range of symptoms and impairments. Whether its cause is an underlying condition or an injury, physical therapy can help you regain your stability.
Causes of Balance and Gait Disorders
The common causes of these conditions are vestibular system dysfunction as well as neurological and neuromuscular health issues. Conditions caused by overuse and other musculoskeletal issues may also lead to dysfunction.
These above are represented by a great number of diseases, some examples of which are multiple sclerosis, stroke, muscular dystrophy, osteoarthritis, obesity, and others.
Our Movement Experts Can Help You
Loss of balance can be very discomforting, both mentally and physically. It can lead to problems with walking and even falls. Evaluation by a physical therapist helps reveal the cause and, depending on that, develop a customized treatment plan to get you back to full functioning.
Our physical therapist will assess your medical history, posture, and gait, as well as perform balance testing. He/she will ask you about
- the circumstances in which you noticed the issue,
- development of the condition,
- does it make you feel pain,
- are you taking any medication.
After that, our physiotherapist will make a conclusion on the best course of action for you.
Treatment will include a combination of physical activities, such as
- exercises to improve strength,
- gait training to teach how to move more efficiently,
- stretches to improve your flexibility,
- using bracing or splinting,
Other treatment methods may include vestibular rehabilitation to address any coordination issues. Other methods may be used within the individual treatment plan, depending on your condition.
Using immense experience in movement rehabilitation, our physical therapist can relieve your pain, reduce the risk of falls and complications, as well as improve your strength and range of motion.
Ready to Address Your Condition?
Early diagnosis in cases with balance and gait dysfunctions is advised, as this can positively affect your condition. If you are having trouble with your balance or gait, contact one of South Barrie Health Group’s physical therapists today. We will be happy to answer all your questions during the free consultation and inform you about how your treatment plan will look like. If you are worried about the treatment prospects of your condition, we will inform you about that too. Do not hesitate to call or email us.
