How We Treat Balance & Difficulty Walking

Balance and walking are closely connected. If you have peripheral neuropathy and cannot feel your feet, or if you feel dizzy/lightheaded, or just feel unsteady in general, walking can be more difficult which could place you at risk of falling and injuring yourself. Even the fear of falling can change how you move and can negatively affect your life by making you less active, more sedentary, and have further balance difficulties. 

What are some common symptoms of balance problems?

• Difficulty walking in a straight line

• Preferring to grab walls, counters, or furniture

• Shuffling of feet

• Falls or “near falls,” even if you catch yourself 

What are some common causes of poor balance or difficulty walking?  

• Vertigo or Meniere’s Disease

• Lightheadedness/Dizziness

• Fear of falling

• Impaired vision

• Decreased strength

• Injury or other physical trauma

• Migraines

• Poor blood pressure regulation

• Side effects from medication or a combination of medications, especially those treating high blood pressure or depression

• Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, or other neurologic conditions

How can physical therapy address balance and walking problems?

Physical therapy treatment can help improve your balance! We can screen different systems and use objective testing to determine where your specific balance difficulties are coming from. Then we can tailor an exercise/balance program to help you make positive changes, feel more confident with movement, and reduce your risk of falling.  When your balance improves, it allows you to be more active and generally healthier. 

If you are unsure of the extent of your balance deficits, wonder where you fall in relation to other people your age, or are considering using an assistive device like a cane or walker, there are specific tests and norms we can compare your scores against to give you some answers.

Why should I choose One to One Physical Therapy to help me with balance or difficulty walking?

When you work with one of our experienced physical therapists, you’ll benefit from our “patient first” philosophy, which includes thorough, friendly, and expert treatment tailored to your specific needs and health goals. We are dedicated to helping all of our patients incrementally improve their health, so contact us today to schedule an appointment. We are here to help!