- One in three seniors will experience a fall each year, and half of those more than once.
- Loss of balance and falls are a common cause of injury in older adults, however this is not a normal part of aging. Falls can often be prevented with the appropriate treatments. There are many factors that cause loss of balance and falls, and when addressed through our Balance Retraining Program, we can minimize the risk of falls, improve balance, improve confidence and ultimately improve your independence and quality of life.
- The GOOD NEWS is our program can help change those odds. A good majority of the deterioration in balance associated with age is simply due to not using those balance skills that are innate in all of us.
- Through our balance retraining program patient will regain confidence and function as they reacquire some of these balance skills. Patients also learn about adjustments they can make to their home and lifestyle that will decrease their risk of falls.
Balance Retraining Therapy
What Is It?
Balance Retraining therapy (BRT) is a specialized form of physical therapy to decrease, if not eliminate primary symptoms of movement related dizziness and imbalance through a customized “hands-on” approach.
Factor: Diminished Strength: As we age, our bodies undergo age-related loss of muscle mass and strength, as well as decreased endurance of prolonged activity.
Solution: Our program can help strengthen weakened muscles. We have a wide variety of exercise equipment and specialized treatment regimens, which can help reduce some of these changes and improve strength, regardless of age. Many studies have shown that even people as old as in their 90’s can obtain improved strength with resistance exercise.
Factor: Diminished Flexibility or Range of Motion: Aging leads to tighter muscles and joints. Arthritis and other disease can contribute to this. These changes can lead to greater difficulty with keeping your balance. For example, if ankle motion or hip motion is limited, it can be difficult to use proper strategies to prevent falls.
Solution: The Balance Retraining/Fall reduction program assesses range of motion deficits, and can teach you or your family proper stretching exercises to regain lost motion.
Factor: Foot Problems: Ill-fitting shoes, calluses, bunions, and other foot conditions can lead to an inability to properly maintain your balance, or an inability to correct your balance once lost.
Solution: We work closely with several Podiatrists who can help you to correct your foot problem, if this is an issue.
Factor: “Unsteadiness”: Many older people tell us they “just feel unsteady”. This leads to a fear of falling, which may be more immobilizing than any physical problem.
Solution: Special exercises can be taught to improve postural stability and upright control. A cane, walker or other device may be prescribed to add stability. Environmental changes around the house (grab bars, handles, etc.) may be helpful to prevent falls.
Balance Retraining Program will consist of:
10 visits over a 4 week period
- The initial visit will consist of reviewing the patient’s history, objective evaluation of strength and flexibility, and performance of tests specially designed to measure current balance deficits. Individualized treatment plans will be designed for each patient, including a home exercise program.
Visits 2 thru 8 will focus on - Increasing strength in muscles essential for balance recovery
- Increasing lower extremity flexibility
- Progressively advancing balance activities that promote skill acquisition, refinement and ultimately retention
- Performing tasks that are designed to stimulate the somatosensory, the visual, and the vestibular systems
Finally, visits 9 thru 10 will focus on - Progressing the patient to independent and safe balance activities to practice at home
- Advancing their home exercise program (HEP)
- Retesting balance performance
- Review safety changes the patient can make at home
Please feel free to contact our therapists with any questions you may have regarding this program and how it may benefit you, a family member or friend. Most major insurances accepted including Medicare.
