Do You Have Difficulty Walking Due to Balance/Gait Issues?
For Elizabeth, a vibrant 72-year-old retired teacher, life had always been about embracing every moment. She relished spending her days tending to her garden, meeting friends for tea, and sharing stories with her grandchildren. Yet, over time, something began to change, something she couldn’t quite grasp.
It started subtly. Elizabeth noticed that her once-steady gait had become somewhat unsteady. Her confident stride had given way to tentative steps. Each morning, as she rose from her bed, she couldn’t ignore the peculiar feeling of imbalance that now seemed to accompany her every move.
With a touch of anxiety creeping in, Elizabeth began to modify her daily routine. She avoided taking long walks, opting for shorter strolls instead. The thought of climbing stairs made her apprehensive, and she held onto handrails with an iron grip.
One sunny afternoon, over tea with a close friend, Elizabeth finally confided her concerns. Her friend gently suggested that Elizabeth consider seeking physical therapy to help address her balance and gait issues.
Hesitant but determined, Elizabeth decided to take the leap. She scheduled an appointment at Atrium Physical Therapy to assess her condition and hopefully find a way to regain her confidence and mobility.
The First Step: A Comprehensive Evaluation
Elizabeth met with one of our skilled physical therapists with a lot of experience helping individuals like her on the day of her appointment. To begin, her therapist conducted a thorough evaluation, including questions about her medications, vision, and any other health concerns that could impact her stability.
Next, she performed a physical exam that included the following tests:
| Range of motion: The physical therapist assessed her range of motion in the joints of the lower extremities. | Muscle strength: The therapist also tested her muscle strength in the lower extremities and core. | Observation: Her physical therapist observed Elizabeth’s walking pattern and looked for abnormalities in her walking. | Footwear: Finally, her footwear was evaluated to ensure it was appropriate for her daily routine and recreational activities. |
As they reviewed the assessment results, her therapist explained that Elizabeth’s gait had patterns that were likely contributing to her feelings of instability and fear of falling. Fortunately, she also reassured her they could work together to address these issues and help her regain her confidence.
Next Up: A Fall Risk Assessment
Her therapist also performed a fall risk assessment to get a complete picture. She asked Elizabeth more questions about her daily life, including specific questions about her home environment.
They discussed several measures to reduce obstacles at home that increase fall risks. Here are some common recommendations:
- Remove boxes, newspapers, electrical cords, and any other trip hazards from walkways.
- Move coffee tables, magazine racks, and plant stands from high-traffic areas.
- Secure loose rugs with a slip-resistant backing — or remove loose rugs from the home.
- Place non-skid mats, strips, or carpets on all surfaces that may get wet.
Her therapist then guided Elizabeth through a series of balance tests to identify specific areas of weakness or instability. These tests helped pinpoint the root causes of Elizabeth’s balance issues.
The Path to Recovery: Personalized Treatment Plan
With a comprehensive understanding of Elizabeth’s condition, her physical therapists designed a treatment plan tailored to her needs. The plan included a combination of mobility work, strengthening exercises, balance and coordination training, and gait activities.
As the weeks passed, Elizabeth noticed a remarkable transformation. Her unsteady steps began to regain their steadiness. She grew more confident with each session, and the fear of falling slowly ebbed away. She practiced walking on different surfaces and navigating obstacles under her therapist’s watchful eye, gradually rebuilding her trust in her abilities.
Regaining Confidence: Progress and Results
Elizabeth’s story is a powerful reminder that balance and gait issues can affect anyone, even without a specific injury or medical condition. Seeking the expertise of one of our skilled physical therapists can make all the difference in regaining confidence, improving mobility, and embracing life to the fullest.
If you or a loved one is struggling with balance and gait issues, don’t let the fear of falling hold you back. Reach out to Atrium Physical Therapy today, and take the first step towards a safer, more stable future!
Get Back to Feeling Your Best
Return to Atrium Physical Therapy and Let’s Continue Your Journey to Wellness Together. Schedule Your Appointment Now!
Do You Have a Headache?
Tired of Taking Pills for Relief?
Join a non-drug clinical trial for FREE! The study is offered through the American Academy of Manipulative Therapy and takes place at Atrium Physical Therapy, Las Cruces, NM.
This study is led by Dr. Jean Cofino, physical therapist, as part of her fellowship program in Orthopedic Manual Therapy. Participants must be 18-65 y.o. and be diagnosed with a primary Headache disorder. Register by texting or calling the number below.
Dr. Jean Cofino, PT, DPT, RAC
Cert. Dry Needling, Cert.
Vestibular and Concussion
Specialist
518- 354- 0803
Exercise of the Month
Single Leg Balance (Ankle)
Start by standing up straight with your feet close together. Slowly raise one foot off the ground slightly. Make sure to brace your abdominals. Hold for 30 seconds and repeat twice on both legs.
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Have You Met Your Annual Deductible?
Take charge of your health today and make the most of your insurance benefits! If you’ve already met your deductible this year or have funds left in your HSA account, you can take advantage of our remarkable opportunity at Atrium Physical Therapy. Starting now and continuing until the end of 2024, you can address your aches and pains at little to no cost. Don’t let these valuable benefits go unused!
But that’s not all. If you’re looking to enhance your strength and set yourself up for a fantastic 2025, we’ve got you covered. Our exceptional team of experienced physical therapists is here to provide you with specialized treatment services tailored to help you achieve your goals. With our guidance and expertise, you can get a head start on the upcoming year before your deductible renews.
Don’t miss out on this incredible chance to prioritize your well-being and maximize your insurance benefits! Call Atrium Physical Therapy today to start living a happier, healthier life.
Being Grateful is Good For You!
Gratitude and Health
Feeling thankful can improve your health in both direct and indirect ways. Some research shows that the experience of gratitude can induce a sense of relaxation, improve the immune system, and decrease blood pressure. But grateful people also tend to cultivate better health habits, like eating more nutritious food, exercising, and avoiding risky behaviors. In addition, the optimism that stems from gratitude can create a healing attitude: research shows that people with optimistic attitudes have better outcomes after medical procedures.
Gratitude and Joy
Robert Emmons, an internationally renowned scientific expert on gratitude, has found that acknowledging the good in life has a tendency to amplify positive emotions, such as joy and contentment, because it helps us slow down. “I think gratitude allows us to participate more in life,” he says. “We notice the positives more, and that magnifies the pleasures you get from life.” Consider the last time you had a good cup of coffee—did you pay attention to the warmth of the cup on your hands, or the feeling of pleasure as you took the first sip? It’s easy to ignore these small moments of positivity in our day as we rush from one activity to another, but stopping to appreciate them makes them more powerful.
Gratitude and Resilience
Practicing gratitude can also make you better equipped to handle the difficulties of life that inevitably arise. In fact, according to Emmons, it’s an essential part of the process of healing from trauma. Even despair can be mitigated by the experience of appreciation for the good, however slight it might be. Thankfulness for the small blessings helps you maintain your humanity despite experiencing a tragedy or loss. Many people with life-threatening illnesses also report decreased distress and increased positive emotions when they practice gratitude.
Recent MRI studies have mapped the gratitude circuitry in the brain, which activates a sense of reward, fairness, and decision-making—all aspects that help facilitate survival and post-traumatic growth.
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Dennis L. Prickett
PT, Owner, Chief of Operations
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PTA, Clinic Lead
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PT Tech
Anna Marie Robles
Customer Service Representative
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Customer Service Representative
Leticia Guaderrama
Patient Account Specialist
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Office Assistant
