Underlying musculoskeletal and neurological disorders can cause or aggravate a balance or gait problem. Luckily, Scona Sports & physiotherapy can help significantly reduce your symptoms or correct your condition altogether.
Do you ever feel unsteady, or not quite as sure-footed as you used to be? Do you find yourself having to reach for walls or furniture to steady yourself? Do you experience pain in your hips, knees, or other joints that have changed the way that you walk? If so, you may be suffering from a balance or gait disorder.
Balance and gait disorders, while similar, do have many differences. A physical therapist at Scona Sports & Physiotherapy will be able to diagnose your specific condition after a thorough evaluation; however, here is some information on gait disorders vs. balance disorders:
Balance disorder
Balance disorders are both physical and mental, as your brain may think you are moving, even when you are not. You may have a falling feeling, stagger when walking, and feel like you are floating. Blurred vision and feelings of disorientation are also common. Changes to your joint strength, mobility, and ability to sense where your joints are in space (proprioception), all have physical consequences on your balance.
Gait disorders
Gait disorders can cause abnormal movements in the way you walk and run, and these can become exaggerated with age. They can also be caused by stroke, inner ear problems, foot conditions, or even something as simple as ill-fitting shoes.
How will physiotherapy help me find relief for my balance or gait disorder?
Physiotherapy is a great option for balance and gait disorders. Our physiotherapists can provide you with the best techniques for improving your balance and ability to walk. It’s important to get help if you are having trouble remaining steady, as you want to prevent falling and injuring yourself!
Balance and gait disorders belong to a family of functional problems that interfere with your positional awareness, your normal means of walking or running, and your ability to keep yourself upright.
When you arrive for your initial appointment, our physiotherapist will conduct a comprehensive physical evaluation to examine your balance, gait, stance, medical history, and symptoms, before creating a personalized treatment plan made for your specific needs.