Balance Training and Fall Prevention

Balance affects all of us at some point in our life, either due to injury, illness, or a part of the aging process. There are various treatment techniques available to improve our balance and reduce our risk of falling.

Balance training begins with a thorough evaluation to determine what might be causing the issue with balance. From that information, a plan is developed. This may include stretching, strengthening exercises, training for using an assistive device, vestibular exercises, or neurological training. Exercises might include standing on balance discs, wobble boards, or other challenging activities. Some common conditions balance training is used for are:

• Difficulty walking
• Sport injury
• Hydrocephalus (pre- / post-shunt placement)
• Multiple sclerosis
• CVA (stroke)
• Deconditioning
• Hip, knee, or ankle replacement
• Parkinson’s