Vertigo and Poor Balance In Lehigh Valley
As you age, your ability to stay upright (balance) can deteriorate. Falls are the leading cause of death due to injury in the elderly population; and 87% of all fractures are due to falls in this age group. Having good balance is a requirement to move safely as you age.
Risk Factors:
- Aging
- Weakness of the hip, knee and ankle muscles
- Previous history of falls
- Poor vision
- Recent change in walking mechanics from injury or weakness
- Vertigo
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is causing my poor balance?
Poor balance can be caused by many things. The most common cause we see is poor flexibility and strength in the hips, knees, and/or ankles.
Another common cause is vertigo. This is when the room feels like it is spinning, usually when you get up from bed in the morning. It is an extremely common problem that occurs when you age, but can happen in younger populations as well. This kind of dizziness is caused by an injury to the inner ear canals and is usually resolved with only a few treatments by a physical therapist with experience in treating vertigo.
How do I improve my balance?
Well, that depends on what is causing your poor balance. That is why it is so important to find the cause. The good news is that nearly all cases of poor balance, no matter what the cause, resolves with physical therapy. Seeing a skilled and experienced therapist who can give you a plan for treating the cause of your poor balance is key. The sooner you get treatment, the faster you can improve your balance and avoid falls.
Do I need to see my doctor first?
No. Pennsylvania and New Jersey are Direct Access states. This means you do not need to go to your doctor to get a prescription to get evaluated. We work closely with several doctors who specialize in the treating poor balance in the communities we serve, so if you do need to see a doctor, we will set that up for you.
Will my poor balance go away on its own?
It’s possible, but not likely. Unfortunately, most people who have poor balance think “Well, maybe it will just go away.” The problem with that is, the longer you go with balance problems, the longer it takes us to fix it. Poor balance is a warning signal in your body telling you something is wrong. Waiting for risk of falling to go away is not a good strategy. The quicker you get in to see a qualified physical therapist, the faster you can be on your road to recovery.
What should I do now?
The first step to eliminating your balance problem is finding out what is causing it. Call 610-841-3555 right now and schedule your Free Screen at any of our locations. You will get a free 30 minute appointment with one of our therapists so that you can get all your questions answered.