If someone asked you to walk heel to toe along a straight line without holding on to anything, could you do it? What if they told you to balance with your feet together and eyes closed? Do you feel comfortable going up and down curbs or inclines/declines? If you answered no to any of these questions then you may have some concerns about your balance.
Balance and fall risk go hand in hand. Those of us who struggle with balance and proprioception (the ability to sense where your body is in space) are at an increased risk of falling, and therefore injury. It doesn’t matter if you land on your knees, hip, or an outstretched arm, chances are you’re not coming out of it unscathed.
Physical therapy focuses on retraining the body to be aware of its center of mass and its orientation in space. By providing an individual with a balance task and then adding a simple challenge (such as closing your eyes, singing, or playing catch), we can help improve the ability to maintain balance and reduce the risk of falling. Now here’s the good and the bad about it… it’s just like riding a bike, but if you don’t use it, you can lose it.
Wesley Barger
PT, DPT
Wes Barger is a 2017 graduate of Grand Valley State University’s Doctorate Physical Therapy program. Wes has additional training in physical therapy for individuals with neurological conditions, and is actively engaged in PRI coursework and the study of patterned human asymmetry.
Nate Dykema
PT, DPT, Cert MDT
Nate Dykema is a 2011 graduate of Grand Valley State University’s Doctorate Physical Therapy program. Nate is a certified provider of the McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy, and is actively engaged in PRI coursework and the study of patterned human asymmetry.
Let’s discuss your goals during a free consultation
Correcting poor alignment, postural awareness, or improving your ability to move starts with discovering what is limiting your body’s ability. We’ll examine your whole body for imbalanced relationships that lead to undesired tension, restriction or altered movement. Then we’ll create a roadmap to help you overcome your limits and build an awareness that leads to lasting results.
Arrange a meeting with a licensed physical therapist in Zeeland, MI today.