How Physical Therapy Can Help You Find Better Balance and Stability
Stand and Walk Again With Confidence And A Sure Step
Do you ever feel unsteady on your feet? Have you noticed it’s getting harder to navigate stairs or uneven surfaces? Maybe you’ve even had a close call or two, and now you’re worried about falling. These are common concerns as we age, but they don’t have to be an inevitable part of getting older.
Why Do We Need Balance And Stability?
Balance is your ability to maintain your center of gravity over your base of support – basically, staying upright! Stability, on the other hand, is your ability to resist forces that threaten to disrupt that balance, like a bump in the sidewalk or a playful nudge from a grandchild.
Many factors can contribute to balance and stability problems.
Age-related decline in muscle strength, flexibility, and reaction time plays a significant role.
Inner ear problems, neurological conditions like stroke or Parkinson’s disease, vision problems, and even certain medications can also affect our balance.
A sedentary lifestyle, previous falls, and certain medical conditions can further increase your risk.
If you’re experiencing symptoms like feeling unsteady or dizzy, frequent falls or near falls, difficulty walking or turning, or needing to use furniture or walls for support, it’s time to take action.
Physical Therapy For Balance And Stability
Physical therapy is a highly effective way to improve balance and stability. Our skilled physical therapists will start with a thorough evaluation to identify the root cause of your balance problems. Then, we’ll create a personalized treatment plan that may include:
Targeted Exercises
To improve your strength, coordination, and reaction time, we might strengthen your leg and core muscles, practice balance exercises like single-leg stance or tandem stance, improve your range of motion, and refine your walking patterns with gait training.
Functional Activities
We’ll teach you how to execute functional activities, like walking, turning your head while walking or standing, reaching for something on a shelf while standing, and carrying objects.
Proprioceptive Training
This focuses on improving your “sixth sense” – your body’s awareness of its position in space. By challenging your balance with exercises on unstable surfaces or with your eyes closed, you can retrain your body to react more quickly and efficiently to changes in your environment.
Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT)
VRT involves specific exercises that retrain your brain to understand signals from your inner ear and improve balance. These exercises may include head movements, eye techniques, and balance tasks that challenge your body’s ability to maintain equilibrium.
Take the First Step Towards Better Balance With Atrium Physical Therapy
Ready to take charge of your balance and regain your confidence? Your first appointment at our clinic is all about understanding your individual needs. Our PT will conduct a comprehensive assessment to evaluate your balance, strength, and movement patterns. This will involve some simple tests and exercises, and a discussion about your medical history and any concerns you may have.
From there, we’ll work together to create a personalized treatment plan designed to help you achieve your goals. Don’t hesitate! Call us today to schedule your first appointment and take the first step towards a more stable and active 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!
Kayaking and Paddleboarding with a Healthy Twist
For a safe and body-friendly kayaking or paddle boarding experience, keep these practical strategies in mind:
- Mindful Paddling: Prioritize good posture and technique. Engage your core, maintain a straight back, and use your legs to generate power. This distributes the effort evenly, reducing strain on your shoulders and back. Using proper form enhances your performance and safeguards against overuse injuries.
- Full-Body Effort: Think of kayaking and paddleboarding as whole-body workouts. Involve your legs, core, and back in every stroke, not just your arms. This balanced approach lessens the risk of muscle imbalances and discomfort.
By incorporating these principles into your water adventures, you’ll have a blast on the water and take care of your body. Kayaking and paddleboarding can be both enjoyable and body-friendly when you paddle smart.
August Word Scramble
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kbaracyd
mrmesu
aicgmnp
aryopunldg
fosrnwlue
Answer Key
relaxation
backyard
summer
camping
playground
sunflower
Enjoy This Seasonal Recipe!
Summer Watermelon Feta Salad
Beat the heat with this crisp and refreshing Summer Watermelon Feta Salad, the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and tangy flavors. It’s a light, vibrant dish that’s sure to steal the show at any summer gathering.
- 4 cups watermelon, cubed and chilled
- 1 cup cucumber, thinly sliced
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Add-ins: - Grilled shrimp or chicken for protein
- Avocado slices for healthy fats
Directions:
In a large bowl, combine watermelon, cucumber, red onion, and mint. Drizzle with lime juice and olive oil. Toss gently to combine. Top with crumbled feta. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Chill for 10–15 minutes before serving.
Why It’s Great:
Quick and easy to make for BBQs, post-run recovery, or light lunches
Super hydrating for hot days
Packed with electrolytes and vitamins
Exercise of the Month
ONE LEG BALANCE
Stand tall near a sturdy surface for support. Lift one foot off the ground and balance on the other leg, keeping your core engaged. Hold for as long as possible, then switch sides to improve stability.
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Summer weekends at the beach, backyard barbecues, and outdoor dinners are finally here, but these gatherings are often loaded with high calorie pasta salads, chips, ice cream, cocktails and beers. Enjoy your warm weather favorites while keeping your nutrition in check with the tips below.
1. Drink green tea instead of sweet tea. Green tea has a natural component that helps speed up your metabolism. Skip the box tea and opt for the brew-it-yourself with boiling water and a tea bag-type tea.
2. Serve seafood. Summer is the ideal time to get the freshest catch from your local grocer. Grill salmon, tuna, lobster, steamer clams, and calamari for a low-calorie, protein-packed lunch or dinner.
3. Don’t skip breakfast. When you wake up in the morning, your body is running on fumes. Eating a breakfast with protein, carbs, and healthy fat kicks your metabolism into high gear and provides energy for the day.
4. Enjoy summer fruits and veggies. It’s easy to sink into a vegetable rut, eating the same boring veggies week after week, but with summer comes fresh choices. Including a mix of in-season colorful veggies in your meals gives your body a nutrient kick.
5. Snack at work. Bring snacks to work and graze throughout the day. When you eat more often—five to six times per day—you’re far less likely to overeat and more likely to stay energized.
6. Hydrate often. The summer heat makes you more susceptible to dehydration. Start off your day by drinking two glasses of water and keep drinking at each meal, as well as before and after your workout, to stay hydrated. Carry a water bottle with you as a reminder to stay hydrated.
7. Recover with a post-workout shake. After exercising, blend your favorite summer fruits and a scoop of whey protein into a shake to kickstart the muscle-building process, help your body recover from training, and boost your energy levels.
8. Pre-plan your meals. You plan your weekend getaways and activities for summer. Why not your meals? Make it easy by preparing all of your food on Sunday so that you have enough meals for the week. The best part: You’ll save money.
Meet Our Team
Dennis L. Prickett
PT, Owner, Chief of Operations
Anthony Apodaca
PTA, Clinic Lead
Jacob Robles
PT Tech
Anna Marie Robles
Customer Service Representative
Monique Montoya
Customer Service Representative
Leticia Guaderrama
Patient Account Specialist
Philip Montoya
Office Assistant
TJ Mallari
PT, DPT
