For older adults, balance is crucial to daily activities.
You need it when going to the bathroom in the middle of the night, moving your trash, or even as simple as walking. As time passes, balance tends to deteriorate and becomes a concern. You may notice you are not as confident when playing pickleball or you tend to reach out and touch the walls and furniture as you maneuver around your house.
At Spring Hill Physical Therapy, we determine what likely contributes to your balance deficits by using a multifaceted approach. This is done by evaluating your body systems involved with balance and determining dysfunctions and or deficits. Causes for vertigo, dizziness/lightheadedness and disequilibrium are explored. Any limiting factors are minimized by either correcting the dysfunction as much as possible, resolving conflicts from different balance systems, optimizing other systems to contribute more to your balance as necessary, and development of exercises that help with strength, stability, and coordination.
Balance is just as important for younger populations as well. If you play sports, you know that every little detail counts. Strength is necessary. Speed is crucial. Stamina is beneficial. Flexibility is important. Techniques and skills have to be learned. Strategy comes with exposure and experience.
However a lot of people ignore the importance of stability and balance. Performing refined motor movements like shooting a ball without excellent balance and control is like attempting to shoot at a target from an unstable kayak.
You may have had an injury that contributed to dysfunctions in your legs, feet, shoulder, pelvis and back. Or you may have overlooked certain training regimens that you felt was unimportant before. At Spring Hill Physical Therapy, we look at the coordination and stability of your core, your upper and lower extremities to help you take that next step. By improving your core engagement and awareness and integrating it with your activities, you might even gain an edge to go for that win. Winning not guaranteed.
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