Benefits Of Balance Training
As we get older, balance problems begin to occur which can affect walking, standing upright and even sitting. These balance problems can cause difficulty with remaining stable and maintaining an erect posture. If not taken care of and managed properly, balance problems can give rise to more serious physical problems. Balance training for older people is an effective way to manage and combat balance problems. These are some of the problems that can cause balance problems and how to you can deal with them.
What causes balance problems?
Balance problems are caused by one or more of the following conditions and need to be tended to immediately.
- Weakness in muscles
- Inner ear problems
- Stiffness in joints
- Depression and high blood pressure medications
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Aging
- Stroke
- Parkinson’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Brain injury
- Arthritis
- Spinal cord injury
- Diabetes
- Cognitive diseases
Balance problems also occur when the following systems malfunction in the body.
- Ocular system
- Ophthalmic system
- Muscular system
- Awareness of one’s own body’s position known as Proprioception
Role of physiotherapy in balance training for older people
Balance physical therapy has several benefits and advantages that help the affected person to recuperate quicker and resume normal activities. These are the benefits of balance training from a physiotherapist specializing in senior citizens.
Improve balance
Physical therapy for balance training helps improve the static as well as the dynamic balance of the individual. A physical therapist creates a custom plan for each individual and increases the intensity gradually to improve balance skills of the patient.
Improve movement and mobility
Those affected by balance problems tend to have impaired mobility and movement skills and this can be corrected by using physical therapy for balance training. A series of balance training exercises help regain the movement and mobility skills of the patient gradually over time.
Improve flexibility and posture
Based on the patient’s condition, the physical therapist can incorporate necessary stretching exercises to gently stretch the muscles that experience stiffness and affect the posture of the person. Flexibility also increases with routine physical therapy exercises aimed at improving the flexibility and the posture.
Improve strength
Physical therapy for balance training utilizes some form of strength training to strengthen weak muscles which can help stabilize the balance of the patient. The physical therapist assesses the level of the balance problems and creates a suitable strength training program to improve muscle strength.
Increase activity levels
This is one of the most important benefits of balance training. Balance training for older people helps them to increase their activity levels and lead a more active lifestyle. A sedentary lifestyle is the major cause of balance problems and physical therapy can be used to correct the problem by increasing the activity levels.
Therefore, physical therapy has several benefits of balance training and can be used as an effective treatment method to combat balance problems in the elderly. Those affected by balance problems should consult a qualified physical therapist to have an individualized balance training plan worked out for them.
