Part of aging is getting used to a number of gradual physical changes. Older people may need to begin using glasses to read and write or be prescribed a hearing aid, for example. When it comes to the musculoskeletal system, everyone expects they will deal with occasional aches and pains when they are older and knows they could be at risk for conditions such as arthritis. However, less often thought about are age-related difficulties with balance and gait. A slight change in one’s walk or risk of dizziness might seem like minor issues, but in the long run, they can increase the possibility of serious injury and lessen independence and quality of life.
The good news is that physical therapy has developed many methods to correct potential movement problems for older individuals. At JAG Physical Therapy, we are the top name in rehabilitation throughout New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania for patients of all ages, but we are especially experienced in helping older adults maintain a higher quality of life. If you or a loved one are recovering from an injury or have other factors reducing mobility, book an appointment with us now to begin regaining better movement, or see more on physical therapy for balance and gait below.
How Does Aging Affect Gait and Balance?
Even in otherwise healthy individuals without serious or chronic conditions, the normal process of aging makes some forms of movement become challenging over time. Older people tend to experience mild or moderate joint stiffness without an immediate cause, for example. Muscles lose some degree of strength with age and it becomes harder for tissue to rebuild after an injury. And due to these changes in the muscles as well as some in the nervous system, coordination and reflexes become less acute.
All of these consequences of aging have various effects on daily activities because they tend to make the normal gait less steady and maintaining balance more difficult. Any number of everyday scenarios call for a sure gait and proper balance, such as changing a lightbulb or heading outside when the sidewalk may be icy. Therefore, even slight age-related changes can greatly increase the risk of falling, which could also lead to more serious injuries that are harder to heal due to age.
What Role Does Physical Therapy Play in Improving Gait and Balance?
At the beginning of a balance-related physical therapy program, the therapist will use gait analysis to record how the patient walks and identify the musculoskeletal or neurological issues that may be occurring. One leg may be turning too far outward, for example, indicating a risk of falling in that direction. There may be some rocking side to side, showing a balance-related problem, or steps may be overly small and shuffling due to fear of falling.
After determining the source of any gait abnormalities, the next step in physical therapy is usually targeted exercise. If the source of unsure gait is the ankles, there may be strengthening exercises for stabilizing structures such as the tibialis posterior muscle and the Achilles tendon, for example. Meanwhile, besides strength and flexibility, other types of exercise are used for overall balance. This focus on improving factors that would otherwise cause poor gait or lack of balance is the primary way that physical therapy can help patients avoid falling.
What Are the Best Exercises for Gait and Balance Improvement?
The exercises used in physical therapy for walking stability are ones from three general categories: Leg strengthening, equilibrium and balance restoration, and gait retraining. The exact movements in each person’s routine will vary based on the assessment of their condition and needs by their physical therapist.
Leg strength exercises for better mobility may include bodyweight squats, different variations of lunges to help with range of motion, and heel raises. Meanwhile, exercises that target balance include heel-to-toe walking, various yoga poses, and standing marches with arms raised. Gait drills are more individualized, as all abnormal walking gaits are subtly different, but a physical therapist may direct the patient to emphasize leading with one foot, distributing their weight correctly, or keeping their feet moving in the same direction, as examples. All in all, to ensure a senior mobility routine is both safe to undertake and has good results, professional guidance from a PT is necessary.
When Should You See a Physical Therapist for Balance Issues?
Certain symptoms and patterns in day-to-day life are the main indicators that balance training for older adults could be helpful. If you go through any of these issues – or if someone you care for does – you should promptly consult a physical therapist. These indicators include frequently stumbling even when there’s no object in the way, choosing to stay in one place, avoid activities, or not go outside due to anxiety over falling, and a recent fall, whether or not there was serious injury.
As always with physical therapy, starting early when you notice a problem is key. Prompt intervention not only means feeling better sooner – it helps to prevent injuries that could lead to a long-term loss of independence.
Improve Your Stability and Confidence with JAG Physical Therapy
Confident mobility is the foundation of independence for older adults. JAG PT’s empathetic specialized physical therapists have years of experience in gait analysis, fall prevention, and other methods that can drastically improve quality of life. Starting a physical therapy program is the best way to get immediately proactive about moving better as an older individual. Schedule your appointment at your nearest JAG Physical Therapy location today to get started.
