Balance depends on coordinated input from the brain, muscles, vision, and inner ear. Proprioception—your sense of body position—also plays an important role. Changes in these systems can affect stability during everyday activities or sports.
Balance training is tailored to each patient’s abilities and goals. For older adults, it may focus on safer daily movement and reducing fall risk. For athletes, it may support coordination, stability, and sport-specific performance.
What Can Affect Balance?
- Neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and stroke
- Peripheral neuropathy or other conditions affecting sensation in the feet
- Inner ear disorders and dizziness
- Postural hypotension, which may cause lightheadedness when sitting up or standing
- Joint injuries, arthritis, deformities, or differences in leg length
- Vision problems, including cataracts and glaucoma
- Medications that may cause dizziness
Our Approach to Balance Training
We begin by reviewing your medical history, strength, activity level, and functional balance. Your therapist then develops an individualized program that may include static balance exercises, dynamic movement, and coordination tasks. Exercises progress according to your needs and response, with a focus on safer functional mobility.