My time spent with my therapist was very much worth it. She is a very competent therapist and is obviously well-trained. She was able to discuss the issues with me and to teach me the proper mind and body actions to improve my balance. I feel much more confident.
Keeping Your Balance
Your balance is based on how three sensory inputs (vestibular, proprioception, and vision) convey information about the environment to your brain. If one or two of these inputs is not working correctly, the others must work harder to help you maintain your balance. Over time, this will cause your balance responses to decline.
Poor balance responses can result in falls and serious injury.
The fear of falling can result in self-imposed limitations on how you move which will have a detrimental effect on your future mobility and health. It is a misnomer to believe we should slow down as we age. Studies show a direct correlation between a slower pace of walking and increased falls. In fact, walking speed is now being considered by the medical community as the sixth vital sign.
At Vortex Physical Therapy and Balance, we provide 1:1 balance therapy to people experiencing balance impairments.
What is Balance Therapy?
A good balance therapy program starts with a comprehensive evaluation of your balance system and its three sensory inputs (vestibular, proprioception, and vision).
During the first visit at Vortex, your physical therapist will conduct an evaluation with several tests, including a computerized balance assessment called a Sensory Organization Test (SOT), to assess how effectively your sensory inputs are working together to keep you balanced. Balance therapy retrains your brain to modify its response to these inputs, resulting in a more appropriate balance reaction.
At the end of your evaluation, the therapist will review the test results with you and provide a customized plan of care to address your balance deficits and functional impairments.
During your therapy program, you will be given exercises to address balance, strength, range of motion (ROM), and posture. The SMART Balance Master® may also be used as an interactive training device, providing visual feedback of your performance during various balance activities. Details on the SMART Balance Master® can be found on our Services page.
Our Experience
Our therapy team has extensive experience and advanced training in the rehabilitation of older adults (65+) as well as treating those who experience balance impairments from medical conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, peripheral neuropathy and strokes.