Gait Disorders and Balance Vestibular Therapy in Harrogate, TN
Balance and gait disorders generally refer to functional problems that affect the equal distribution of your body weight, positional awareness, and everyday walking or running patterns. However, they are separate entities and we should learn them as such.
Gait disorders are abnormalities that affect the way you walk and run. These abnormalities may be triggered by lifestyle choices like wearing undersized shoes, injury, or medical conditions, such as stroke, foot conditions, etc. On the other hand, balance disorders are physical or mental problems that give you a sense of floating or falling when walking, make you stagger/fall while walking, or make you feel like you are moving or your environment is spinning around you when neither is happening.
Gait and balance are crucial because they are essential for performing activities of daily living. Simple activities like walking and running require balance to avoid injury from falls or collisions. However, your gait and balance may be affected by injury, illnesses, and medical conditions that reduce their effectiveness. One of the most common causes of gait and balance disorders is vestibular dysfunction. Gait and balance disorders can limit your ability to perform activities of daily living comfortably and keep you in constant fear of falling. At Pinnacle Performance Physical Therapy, we offer balance vestibular therapy to help restore your gait and balance to their optimal states.
Causes of Gait and Balance Disorders
One of the most common causes of balance disorders is vestibular dysfunction. The vestibular system is a component of the inner ear concerned with balance. The vestibular nerve in the inner ear sends balance and head position information from the inner ear to the brain. However, this nerve may become damaged due to injury, infection, and other disorders. When damaged, the balance information communicated between the brain and the vestibular nerve becomes disrupted, resulting in dizziness, vertigo, frequent falls, and other balance-related symptoms. Problems with the vestibular system are one of the leading causes of gait and balance disorders.
Other causes of gait and balance disorders include:
- Inner-ear problems: The inner ear is the balance hub of the body. Therefore, inner-ear problems, such as Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), Meniere's Disease, and labyrinthitis, cause balance disorders.
- Neurological disorders
- Side-effects of some medications
- Musculoskeletal problems
- Vision problems
- Psychological factors, etc.
What is Vestibular Physical Therapy in Harrogate, TN
Vestibular rehabilitation therapy is a form of physical therapy designed to treat and manage injuries, infections, and conditions of the vestibular system, leading to balance problems and other disorders. Vestibular therapy in Harrogate, TN, can also improve the overall function of one’s vision, nerves, muscles, and vestibular system. This physical therapy rehabilitation consists of exercise programs, activities, and interventions that treat and manage symptoms of vestibular dysfunction, such as dizziness, vertigo, nausea, blurry vision, etc.
What Does Vestibular Therapy in Harrogate Entail?
Vestibular rehabilitation therapy involves exercises, techniques, and activities designed to enhance balance and coordination by addressing problems with the vestibular system. The following are the common components of vestibular rehabilitation that you should expect during functional Gait Disorder Treatment in Harrogate, TN:
- Comprehensive evaluation of your gait, balance, and inner ear function.
- Balance training
- Gait training
- Stretching and strengthening exercises
- Eye movement control exercises
The duration of Harrogate gait disorder treatment depends on the severity of your situation and your response to therapy. However, vestibular rehabilitation therapy at Pinnacle Performance Physical Therapy typically lasts from a few weeks to several months of ongoing treatment.
Benefits of Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy
The following are the benefits of undergoing Harrogate vestibular physical therapy exercises:
- It improves your balance and coordination
- Reduced symptoms of gait and balance disorders
- Increased ability to perform activities of daily living without the fear of falling
- It improves the overall function of the vestibular system
- Improvement of your overall quality of life.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Is The Most Common Cause Of Gait Disorders?
Aging, neurological disorders, musculoskeletal problems, and vestibular system dysfunction are the most common causes of gait disorders.
How Does The Vestibular System Help Balance?
The vestibular system consists of semicircular canals, the utricle, and the saccule in the inner ear. It detects head movements, provides sensory information to the brain, and coordinates movement to maintain balance.
What Is Gait Training In Physical Therapy?
Gait training involves learning or relearning the proper posture, stance, and walking techniques from a physical therapist to correct abnormalities in the gait.
How To Work On Turning Gait Physical Therapy?
You can work on your turning gate through exercises and drills that improve balance, coordination, and mobility.
Conclusion
Gait and balance disorders can prevent you from performing your activities of daily living comfortably and reduce your overall quality of life. They also put you at risk of injury due to your susceptibility to falls and collisions. However, we provide specialized vestibular rehabilitation therapy at Pinnacle Performance Physical Therapy that helps to treat and manage gait and balance disorders and their symptoms. Therefore, you should seek functional gait and balance disorder treatment in Harrogate, TN.