Many times, doctors will send a patient to physical therapy if he/she has experienced a fall, been ill, or just felt unsteady while walking. There are several different components to increasing and maintaining balance and mobility.
When you arrive for your appointment, there will be paperwork to complete, most importantly a past medical history form, including a list of your medications. This information is needed to see if you have any conditions or take any medication that could contribute to your symptoms.
During the evaluation, the therapist will test the muscle strength in your legs and assess your balance. These tests are done in an effort to determine which system of balance needs to be addressed. There are three primary systems of balance: vestibular, visual, and proprioceptive. The vestibular system is located in your inner ear and is sensitive to head movements and can create dizziness if there is a dysfunction. The visual system plays a role in your balance by interpreting what you see and making adjustments to obstacles that are ahead, such as a curb. Proprioception is the feedback that you receive from your feet being in contact with a surface. This is important if you are walking on an unstable surface, such as grass or gravel. These three systems help maintain your balance, and your legs have to be strong enough to help hold you up!
The PT will analyze how you walk and determine if you need an assistive device, such as a cane or walker, for safety. Your balance may be tested by performing tasks such as balancing on one leg and standing with your eyes closed and by performing tasks that involve putting your feet close together or in front of each other. Some of these tests may seem silly, but they give the therapist information about your ability to perform daily activities safely.
Often, your therapist will want to see you once or twice a week to work on increasing strength and balance. One thing to remember with balance is that repetition helps the body re-learn the correct way to perform daily activities. More than likely, the PT will send you home with exercises to perform on your own. Performing these exercises will help maintain your mobility and strength between PT visits. Working on balance is a time-consuming process; you will need to be patient with yourself as your symptoms improve. Most importantly, therapists want patients to remain safe with their mobility and prevent future falls. (For tips on preventing falls at home, visit our blog post entitled, “How to Fall-Proof Your Home”. By improving strength and balance, you will be on the right track to stay injury free!
