Balance and gait training Briarwood can provide the therapeutic intervention you need to improve your stability and walking ability. When your body isn’t balanced and stable, you risk falling, which is also one of the main causes of injury in older adults. If you already have co-morbidities, a history of falls, or part-time injuries, you also risk complications or even fatality after a fall. Turning to gait and balance training in a rehabilitation setting can provide for a range of conditions and needs. Here’s how to know if these interventions are right for you:
What is Balance Training?
Balance often goes overlooked as an integral part of your health and well-being, but it protects you from falls and injuries. Balance training focuses on improving your ability to maintain an upright and steady posture. The exercises and techniques are designed to enhance the muscles involved with balance control to help improve coordination and strength. For example, strengthening core muscles with abdominal and lower back exercises can help target your core strength and enhance stability.
Balance training may also consider your proprioception, or bolstering your body’s awareness of its position in space. Standing on one leg with eyes closed or using balance boards can help. Your therapist may also incorporate functional activities tailored to your specific needs and goals. While an athlete may need sport-specific balance drills, older adults will probably focus on balance exercises that help prevent falls and related injuries.
What is Gait Training?
Gait training pairs well with balance training but works to target different issues and muscles. Gait exercises concentrate on improving your walking pattern or gait. It’s particularly helpful if you have difficulty walking due to injury, surgery, neurological conditions, sports injuries, or musculoskeletal problems. The team of experts at ProMet Physical Therapy will perform a gait pattern evaluation to determine which areas need improvements for mobility, strength, flexibility, and posture.
Similar to balance exercises, your gait training will include targeted techniques to strengthen weakened muscles. Your therapist may recommend exercises for your core, legs, and hips. It’s also vital to correct abnormal gait patterns, including limping or shuffling. In some cases, an assistance device may be recommended to improve your stability and walking.
Why Get Balance and Gait Training?
Not sure if If you’re not sure if balance and gait training are the right fit for you? There are several reasons why someone might seek balance and gait training:
- Rehabilitation: People recovering from injuries, surgeries such as joint replacements, or neurological conditions including stroke and Parkinson’s disease may require balance and gait training to recover and regain their independence.
- Fall Prevention: Older adults who are prone to falling or have stability issues can benefit from balance training to improve stability and reduce the risk of serious injuries.
- Enhanced Athletic Performance: Athletes struggling to perform may need a boost in agility, coordination, and overall ability. Balance and gait training can help improve athletes’ athletic performance and help them stay competitive while reducing injuries.
- Improved Quality of Life: If you have a chronic condition that impacts balance or walking, such as multiple sclerosis, balance and gait training Briarwood can help improve quality of life and mobility.
- Postural Correction: Anyone with poor posture or musculoskeletal imbalances could benefit from balance training to restore their comfort and health.
- Improve Muscle Memory: Doctors often recommend balance and gait training Briarwood to help build up strength in your muscles and improve overall muscle memory. The goal is to build up your endurance and get your legs back in repetitive motion to improve your overall ability to stay balanced and walk safely.
Balance and gait training Briarwood is also customizable to meet your needs, making it an important tool in rehabilitation, injury prevention, and physical performance improvement.
Next Steps
The ProMet Physical Therapy team offers a unique style with a common focus on YOU. Our treatment plans take into consideration every aspect of your condition, life, and goals to help you heal your body and mind, not just the area with the injury. We’re here to help you reconnect to the real you with a personalized approach to healing. Ready to take control of your recovery with balance and gait training Briarwood? Call our Briarwood locations at (718) 880-2385 or request an appointment here.