Balance problems can be attributed to a variety of causes, which is why it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly how many people in the U.S. experience issues with balance. It’s relatively common to experience, but most always should be assessed and treated by a licensed medical professional or health care provider. If you’ve recently started experiencing problems balancing, it’s important to seek treatment. Balance affects your ability to sit, stand and avoid injuries from falling.

If you need guidance improving your balance, take a look at some of these physical therapy exercises provided below.

Who is more likely to experience problems with their balance?

• Someone with a neurological disorder.

• Someone with an ear infection or ear disorder.

• Someone who is recovering from cancer.

• Someone who has joint pain.

• Someone carrying excess body weight.

• Someone recovering from a surgical procedure.

• Someone who is an older adult.

What are some basic physical therapy exercises that can improve someone’s balance?

• Single leg raises — A common physical therapy exercise that can be performed to improve balance is called the single leg raise. To do a single leg raise, all it requires is that you lift one leg off the ground at a time, and slowly extend it behind your body or to the side of your body. Repeat this with each leg several times.

• Chair sits — Another PT exercise for improving balance is called the chair sit. This movement requires that you repeatedly sit down and stand up from a chair. You must avoid using your hands for support as much as possible.

• Single knee raises — To perform this exercise, all you need to do is raise your knee up in the air while walking so that it’s parallel with your abdomen. You can raise one knee at a time and repeat several times.

• Medicine ball single leg raises — The medicine ball single leg raise is similar to the regular single leg raise. Only, it’s done on a halved medicine ball. This physical therapy exercise is a more advanced variation of the single leg raise. It will use the same muscles as a single leg raise, but will also require additional support from the abdominal muscles to keep balanced.

• Tai chi — Have you ever seen a group of people out at the park performing movements that look like slow-motion karate? That’s called tai chi, and it is a great way to improve your balance. It helps you train the muscles in your body to keep your body more stable during movements.

• Toe raises — Toe raises are another type of physical therapy exercise that can improve balance. To perform toe raises, you’ll need to grab a weight in each hand and then slowly raise yourself up using the tips of your toes. Be sure to hold that position for a few seconds and then slowly lower back down. Repeat this exercise several times for the desired effect.

Lattimore PT can help improve your balance through physical therapy exercises

Our team of talented physical therapists spread across the state is dedicated to understanding the treatment that works best for you. We specialize in taking a “hands-on,” interactive approach with each of our patients to provide them with the best care possible. We love to see our patients thrive, which is why we’ll do as much as we can to help get them to that point. The physical therapists at each of our Lattimore locations take pride in their work and do their best to come to the clinic each day with a smiling face. We aim to make each physical therapy session enjoyable yet productive. The ultimate mark of success, to us, is a patient who feels positively impacted by our work. Are you ready to experience “the Lattimore way”?

If you’re someone who struggles with balance, we’d like to assist you. We’re specialists in coming up with unique exercise plans to treat your instability and give you both improved balance and peace of mind. Don’t wait to reach out to one of our physical therapists for more exercises to better your balance.

Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.