Introducing our newest practice member – Balance Tracking Systems.
We are excited to start utilizing our new force plate to help build on our thorough assessment process. It will help provide our patients accurate and reliable balance assessment and rehabilitation.
Balance is a fundamental aspect of nearly every movement we make, whether we’re walking across the street, lifting a child, or hanging out the washing.
Good balance has these 5 benefits:
- It helps prevent falls and injuries.
- It makes daily tasks easier to perform.
- It improves posture
- It contributes to quicker recovery from injuries.
- Improves coordination
Achieving and maintaining balance involves the coordination of several key systems:
- Visual System: This helps us perceive our surroundings and maintain spatial awareness.
- Proprioceptive System: This system provides awareness of our body’s position and movement in space.
- Vestibular System: Often referred to as the “inner ear,” this system detects the position and movement of our head.
Improving balance is possible at any age. Identifying which of these systems may be struggling is crucial for targeting the right exercises and rehabilitation strategies to enhance balance effectively.
If you would like to learn more or are interested in having your balance assessed, please speak to Mark or Sophie at your next appointment.
References
- Liu-Ambrose, T., Davis, J. C., Best, J. R., Dian, L., Madden, K., Cook, W., Hsu, C. L., & Khan, K. M. (2019). Effect of a home-based exercise program on subsequent falls among community-dwelling high-risk older adults after a fall: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA, 321(21), 2092–2100. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2019.5795
- Wang, Q., Li, L., Mao, M., Sun, W., Zhang, C., Mao, D., & Song, Q. (2022). The relationships of postural stability with muscle strength and proprioception are different among older adults over and under 75 years of age. Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness, 20(4), 328–334. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesf.2022.07.004