Balance & Gait Disorders
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Achieve Balance with Physical Therapy Sessions
Feeling off-kilter, or not as stable on your feet as before? Grasping for walls and furnishings for balance? Experiencing joint pain in hips, knees or elsewhere that's altered your stride? You might be dealing with a balance or gait disorder.
Find your footing again! A multitude of factors can throw off your balance and alter your gait, leading to both physical discomfort and mental distress. These disruptions might stem from musculoskeletal or neurological conditions, but there's hope. Physical therapy offers a powerful remedy, capable of markedly diminishing your symptoms or even resolving your issues completely. Don't wait—take the first step towards stability. Reach out to Stride Physical Therapy and secure your appointment now for a steadier tomorrow!
Understanding Balance & Gait Disorders:
Discover the secrets behind your balance and gait mysteries! Often stemming from a symphony of factors, these disorders might arise from a multitude of underlying conditions. At the heart of balance challenges lies the vestibular system—a labyrinth of fluid-filled chambers and intricate sensory nerves nestled in your inner ear. This system, in concert with nerve receptors that waltz across your joints, orchestrates your body's position sense, or "proprioception.” Step into a world of equilibrium where every sense plays its part to perfection!
Discover the common vestibular conditions responsible for balance disorders:
Injuries or health setbacks:
Even when your brain and nervous system sync perfectly, unforeseen injuries, illnesses, or conditions triggering muscle weakness can disrupt your equilibrium, challenging your ability to stand firm.
Neurological Knots!
Face neurological challenges with ease! From Parkinson's to brain injuries or stroke effects, we know balance is key. Rely on us for expert neurological care, your pillar of stability.
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).
When small pieces of calcium detach in the inner ear, it disrupts your balance.
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What Sets Balance Apart from Gait Disorders?
Balance and gait disorders are conditions that disrupt your sense of orientation, change the way you walk or run, and make it difficult to stay balanced.
Balance and gait issues are interconnected, yet they differ slightly. Balance problems affect both body and mind, making you feel motion when you're stationary. Joint strength, flexibility, and spatial awareness all physically impact your balance.
Gait disorders affect your walking and running, leading to unnatural movements that often worsen as you get older. Move Forward Physical Therapy states that such disorders are behind 17% of elderly falls.
How can I find relief for my balance or gait disorder?
Physical therapy in Freehold, NJ is your top choice for better balance and walking. Our expert therapists will thoroughly assess your balance, gait, posture, medical background, and symptoms. We’ll then craft a tailored treatment plan just for you, which may involve:
Stretches:
Stretching makes you more flexible and helps you move easier. It helps you react faster and move more smoothly, all while lowering your injury risk. Plus, it stops your muscles from getting overly tight and rigid.
Strengthening exercises:
Our physical therapist will assess you to identify weak spots in your body. You'll receive strengthening exercises to boost muscle power, making movement easier and lowering injury risks.
Vestibular rehabilitation:
Our physical therapy program in Freehold, NJ, enhances your eyesight, nerve function, muscle strength, and overall balance system. Struggling with BPPV? Our therapists will guide you through targeted exercises that shift ear calcium deposits, reducing your vertigo.
Gait retraining exercises:
Gait issues can often be fixed by relearning correct walking methods.
Struggling with balance or walking difficulties? Reach out to Stride Physical Therapy and book a session with our expert therapists. We'll get you walking confidently in no time!
Health Blog
Arthritis Pain Relief Without Medication
Arthritis pain in your knees or hips might make you want to reach for opioid painkillers. These drugs can offer short-term relief, but they're addictive and won't fix the real problem. Try a safe alternative: physical therapy. Get in touch with Stride Physical Therapy to see how a physical therapist can help ease your arthritis pain.
What is Arthritis?
Arthritis causes joint pain, tenderness, and swelling. It's a myth that it only affects old people; it can strike at any age. Treatment at Stride Physical Therapy can help get your joints moving well again and increase flexibility.
Signs of Arthritis
Arthritis symptoms can be managed with physical therapy. Common symptoms include:
Swollen Tissues: Arthritis causes tissue swelling near the affected joint, often making the area warm to the touch.
Grinding Sensation: Loss of cartilage leads to a grinding feeling as bones move against each other.
Lost Mobility: Arthritic joints can restrict your range of motion, making daily tasks difficult.
Joint Stiffness and Aches: Joints are especially stiff upon waking and may be sensitive or painful to touch.
Pain: Pain during or after physical movement is common in arthritic joints.
The Dangers of Opioids
Opioid prescriptions and overdose deaths have surged fourfold in 20 years, resulting in addiction, fatal overdoses, withdrawal, and depression. According to the CDC, opioid sales jumped 300% since 1999 with daily prescription opioid deaths over 40 in 2011. Physical therapy provides a safer option.
Physical Therapy: A Safer Alternative
If you’ve been diagnosed with arthritis, physical therapy can help you manage your symptoms without painkillers. During your first appointment at Stride Physical Therapy, you’ll discuss your medical history and symptoms. Your physical therapist will assess your strength, balance, and range of motion to create an optimal treatment plan.
Treatment Approaches
Manual Therapy: Therapeutic massage helps loosen muscles, increase range of motion, and relieve stiffness and discomfort in arthritic joints.
Body Mechanics: Learn how to perform daily activities with minimal strain on your joints to prevent the grinding sensation and slow arthritis progression.
Additional Treatments
Posture: Learn methods to optimize joint function and minimize pain, and how to use muscles and joints efficiently to relieve pressure.
Education: If needed, your therapist will teach you how to use assistive devices like canes or walkers properly.
Exercise and Weight Management: Your treatment plan may include exercises to strengthen muscles, support weight, and relieve joint strain. Aquatic exercises in a pool may be recommended for joint relief.
Contact Us Today
Physical therapy can help you manage arthritis pain without powerful opioids or other painkillers. Call Stride Physical Therapy today to schedule your first appointment with a licensed physical therapist. Start your journey to pain-free living and improved mobility.
