How Physical Therapy Improves Balance & Quality of Life

As many people age, they may start to see a decline in balance. They may also have slower reflexes. There are physiological reasons for deteriorating balance and slower reflexes due to aging. There can also be an accumulation of orthopedic or medical issues that can contribute to these two problems, such as neuropathy. Physical therapy is an important tool to use to prevent these changes from impacting your quality of life.  

How People Gradually Stop Practicing Balance and the Problem This Causes

Balance is a skill that we practice for most of our lives. Think about toddlers. They are practicing their balance all the time, climbing on different surfaces and falling and getting back up. By middle school, kids are playing sports on the playground. They are tearing around with friends and brothers and sisters. They practice balance all the time too. 

By college and early adulthood, a lot of people are still playing sports or exercising pretty regularly. They’re still practicing balance. Then they start having kids. We’re talking the twenties and thirties, maybe even into the forties. They’re having children, so they’re following their kids around. They’re pretty active doing activities that would also challenge their balance. 

We hit the 50s and 60s and many people stop practicing balance as much. Maybe they’re not any longer playing recreational sports. Maybe they’re exercising, but it’s just at the gym and they’re on equipment or with machines. Some people still do practice balance late into life, but generally, the trend I see is people practicing balance less and less. Like any skill, if you don’t use it, you lose it. The problem with losing a skill like balance is it puts you at risk for falls.

Maintaining a High Quality of Life Is Harder When Balance Skills Are Lost

If you avoid activities that you like to do or you are fearful about getting hurt, your quality of life can start to go down. Physical therapy can be a safe place to practice your skills. It can be a safe place to have your balance assessed. 

Balance is much more than just standing on one foot, although that is something that we test on a regular basis. It also includes being able to: 

• Move in space
• Bend down and pick things up
• Be stable while having a narrow base of support where the feet are close together
• Stand on uneven surfaces
• Move across grass
• Move in sand
• Carry heavy things

All of these actions require some level of balance. Even getting in and out of a chair for some people is a balance challenge. 

Physical therapy offers a safe place for an individualized assessment to see if that balance can be improved. 

Who Can Benefit From Physical Therapy to Help With Their Balance?

If you’re thinking, “I wonder if my balance could stand to improve, I wonder if physical therapy might be for me,” then you very likely could benefit from physical therapy. When balance improvement is really needed is when there has been a history of falls. Or maybe one fall was a fluke but you’re scared that it’s going to be a recurrent issue. Or perhaps it already is a recurrent issue. In that case, you are very likely a good candidate for physical therapy. 

Physical therapy is right for you if you are avoiding activities because you’re fearful of losing your balance or falling. Maybe you’re generally noticing a decline in your ability to maintain your balance. It could be that your balance is unsteady and you don’t want to eventually end up having a fall. 

Balance is a skill. At Full Potential Physical Therapy, we do balance assessments all the time. Then we tailor an individualized plan that can meet your needs so that you can practice the skill in a way that is specific to you and your goals. 

Find the Help You Need at Full Potential 

If you’re interested in a balance assessment or talking with a therapist about whether physical therapy might help you, please feel free to schedule a consultation. You can meet directly with a physical therapist and talk through some of your needs and even do some testing. If this sounds like what you need, then talk with your physician and get a referral for physical therapy. 

If you’re feeling the need for better balance, then the right time to act is right now. Call us at (616) 537-2837.

About Luke

Luke earned his bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Hope College, and in 2016,  received his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Central Michigan University. He is experienced in treating a wide variety of musculoskeletal issues. In early 2021, he completed advanced coursework in the treatment of temporomandibular (jaw) joint dysfunction and has enjoyed working with this often underserved population. He also has a particular passion for treating individuals with persistent pain who are looking to improve their quality of life and daily function.

Luke has many hobbies and passions outside of physical therapy. First and foremost, he enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, and Airedale terrier. He also pursues Olympic weightlifting, cross-training, rowing, and running. Luke loves being out in nature, whether that means camping, backpacking, or just taking a hike to go bird-watching.