Balance Training for Seniors

When should you consider balance training for seniors?

One possibility that scares many older adults is losing their balance. This is because a loss of balance can lead to a fall that causes serious injury. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that one-fifth of all falls lead to serious injuries like hip fractures or head trauma. If you’re dealing with an issue that increases your fall risk, there is a type of physical therapy that can help. Balance training for seniors is designed to improve your ability to balance. Older adults with certain medical conditions can benefit from this type of therapy. 

  1. Arthritis

Arthritis is one issue that should cause you to consider balance training for seniors. The joints are a vital component of your ability to balance. When you have arthritis, these critical body parts don’t work as they should. They can become stiffer and more painful, making it more difficult to move your joints normally. This could be a problem if you start to lose your balance while you’re moving. A stiff or painful joint may take several seconds longer to respond to signals your brain is sending out, and this can be the difference between falling and catching yourself when you’re losing your balance. 

  1. Stroke

A stroke is when the blood flow to the brain is suddenly cut off. Often, this condition happens because a clot has blocked a blood vessel to the brain. Blood vessels in the brain could also break and interrupt blood flow, and this damage is typically caused by an impact to the head. If you or someone you know has had a stroke, balance training for seniors is an option that can help you. 

Strokes tend to cause damage to different parts of the brain, and this can include the area that controls the body’s ability to balance. When this area is damaged, balance training can help the body compensate for this injury. For example, this training can help you learn new ways to do routine activities. It’s also intended to help improve the range of motion of joints, and balance training can help strengthen muscles the body relies on for balance. 

SOL Physical Therapy offers balance training for seniors

At SOL Physical Therapy, we offer balance training and other helpful services to the seniors of Oakland, California. Using a service called functional rehabilitation, our team can help older adults feel more confident when they move. We can also perform a comprehensive and free screening on you to help you learn the source of your balance issues. Once this root cause has been found, we’ll build you a personalized therapy plan. This plan may include functional rehabilitation and other therapy techniques such as: 

Take the next step to get our help if you’re looking to improve your balance. Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an appointment. 

About the author

Sports + Orthopedic Leaders Physical Therapy & Performance Training serves the communities of Oakland, Alameda, Berkeley, Walnut Creek, Orinda, San Francisco and beyond. SOLPT’s award winning team of Physical Therapists, Performance Coaches and movement experts has helped thousands reach their rehabilitation and performance goals to move beyond pain. We're committed to helping anyone of any fitness level move effectively and more powerfully for a lifetime. We offer rehabilitation and performance services to all populations, with specialties in Sports Rehabilitation, Active Release Techniques, and Manual Therapy Techniques plus Personal and Small Group Training, Sport Clinics and Wellness Services.

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