<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" > <channel> <title>Visual System Archives - WWSPT.Com</title> <atom:link href="https://wwspt.com/category/visual-system/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link>https://wwspt.com/category/visual-system/</link> <description>Healing, Function, Recovery, Health</description> <lastBuildDate>Mon, 12 Jun 2023 18:25:29 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-US</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2</generator> <site xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">215146180</site> <item> <title>Finding the Balance in Your Balance System</title> <link>https://wwspt.com/finding-the-balance-in-your-balance-system/</link> <comments>https://wwspt.com/finding-the-balance-in-your-balance-system/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jenna McLane PT, DPT]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 22 Sep 2022 14:31:52 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[balance]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Balanec Awareness Week]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category> <category><![CDATA[BPPV treatment]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Bucks County Womens Journal]]></category> <category><![CDATA[falls]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Health and Wellness]]></category> <category><![CDATA[joints]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Physical Therapy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Somatosensory System]]></category> <category><![CDATA[VeDa]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vestibular Rehabilitation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vestibular System]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Visual System]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WWSPT]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wwspt.com/?p=3555</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Is it uncomfortable for you to stand still while having an unexpected conversation? Are you looking for something sturdy to rest your hand on? Perhaps you second-guess invitations to picnics or sporting events because walking on the grass is challenging. Maybe you find yourself parking closer and closer to the shopping cart corral so that you […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://wwspt.com/finding-the-balance-in-your-balance-system/">Finding the Balance in Your Balance System</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wwspt.com">WWSPT.Com</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Is it uncomfortable for you to stand still while having an unexpected conversation? Are you looking for something sturdy to rest your hand on? Perhaps you second-guess invitations to picnics or sporting events because walking on the grass is challenging. Maybe you find yourself parking closer and closer to the shopping cart corral so that you have something to lean on to get into the store.</p> <p>These are all typical behaviors reported in our physical therapy clinic. Not all patients come to us because they have vertigo or are spinning. Many people who arrive at our clinic report limiting their social activities and the hobbies they enjoy due to feeling less confident on their feet. Not all have fallen; some just experience stumbling and tripping at times.</p> <p>Balance, your body’s ability to keep your center of mass over your support base, is something we often take for granted until we struggle with it. Physical therapy can be beneficial in restoring your balance when it is compromised.</p> <p><img decoding="async" src="https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Balance-Vision-Propreoceptors-Vestibular--scaled.jpeg" alt="" /></p> <p>Our bodies rely on peripheral feedback systems to give the brain the information it needs to stay upright and avoid falling. The three sensory systems include our vision, proprioception, and vestibular systems.</p> <p>First, let’s discuss the role your vision plays in balance. Your brain relies on this to learn how your body fits in the surrounding environment. For example, if you see people coming toward you or the ground is uneven up ahead, adjust accordingly.</p> <p>Next, you rely on information from your proprioceptors. These are the sensors in your joints, muscles, and skin that provide information to your brain about where your body is in space. Let’s pretend you are walking down a slope right now. Pressure from your shoe against your foot, a stretch to the muscles in front of your lower leg, and a slight bend in your knee inform your brain that you are on a decline. Someone with peripheral neuropathy, an artificial joint, or an injury can have impaired proprioceptive feedback.</p> <p>Lastly, the vestibular system also provides your brain with information about your movement in space. This is found in your ear, beyond the eardrum. The system has five end organs, including the utricle, saccule, and three semicircular canals. The utricle and saccule have small hair cells that detect horizontal and vertical acceleration, such as riding in a car or going up an elevator.</p> <p>The fluid-filled semicircular canals detect rotational movement in different planes. When your head turns, the left and right vestibular systems generate an impulse based on the fluid shift. This impulse travels to the brainstem and directs the appropriate muscular and visual responses that keep you moving smoothly. When both the left and right vestibular systems are healthy and work together, these adjustments are typically not noticed. But people with damage or weakness in one or both vestibular systems may feel unsteady on their feet, dizzy, or disoriented (as if their eyes are bouncing).</p> <p>When patients arrive at WWSPT with complaints of unsteadiness, we look at their whole medical picture. We thoroughly review their history to identify variables that may be influencing their balance. Do they have chronic back pain or diabetes that may impair their sensation? Have they been on medications that may impact the function of their vestibular system? Are they smokers, have they experienced migraines, and have trouble multitasking? These are just a few questions we may ask that are extremely helpful in identifying possible contributing causes to patients’ imbalance.</p> <p>After reviewing their history, we evaluate how they move. Is one hip weaker than the other? Are stairs difficult? Is there a difference when walking on a smooth indoor surface and going outside? Do busy environments suddenly make them reach for support?</p> <p>Next, we thoroughly evaluate their vestibular system and how the vestibular ocular reflex or VOR reflex works. We screen them for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and evaluate their balance statically and dynamically.</p> <p>First-time patients may feel intimidated by the “strange” exercises they see other patients doing in the gym. Our expertise in balance training allows us to incorporate patients’ individual goals into their therapy. Patients who struggle with talking to their friends while on a walk may be asked to walk, turn their heads, and simultaneously list their weekly grocery items. A hiker, who misses walking in the woods, may find him or herself stepping across our river rocks while wearing a weighted vest. We like to keep it interesting!</p> <p><img decoding="async" src="https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/do-you-suffer-from-Dizziness-.png" alt="" /></p> <p>If you have noticed something doesn’t quite feel right in your movement, do not simply accept imbalance as a part of aging. If left untreated, this could lead to a fall. Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries in adults over 65. Enhancing your balance system through physical therapy can help you maintain your independence and the quality of life you enjoy. Be your advocate. Please get in touch with WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation, Doylestown, PA., for your balance assessment and treatment plan!</p> <p>Dr. Jenna L. McLane, PT, DPT,</p> <p>The post <a href="https://wwspt.com/finding-the-balance-in-your-balance-system/">Finding the Balance in Your Balance System</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wwspt.com">WWSPT.Com</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://wwspt.com/finding-the-balance-in-your-balance-system/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">3555</post-id> </item> <item> <title>You Asked About Physical Therapy at WWSPT…</title> <link>https://wwspt.com/you-asked-about-physical-therapy-at-wwspt/</link> <comments>https://wwspt.com/you-asked-about-physical-therapy-at-wwspt/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Kelsey Krebs Hanlon, PT, DPT]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 04 Nov 2021 15:41:19 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[balance]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo]]></category> <category><![CDATA[BPPV]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Concussion]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Dizziness]]></category> <category><![CDATA[falls]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Health and Wellness]]></category> <category><![CDATA[injury prevention]]></category> <category><![CDATA[joints]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Migraines]]></category> <category><![CDATA[musculoskeletal pain]]></category> <category><![CDATA[orthopedic treatment]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Parkinson's Disease]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Physical Therapy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[PT Treatments]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Somatosensory System]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sprain]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vertigo]]></category> <category><![CDATA[vestibular disorders]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vestibular Rehabilitation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vestibular System]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Visual System]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WWSPT]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wwspt.com/?p=3289</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>When most people think of Physical Therapy, they think of somewhere that you go to recover after surgery or injury. Physical therapists are movement specialists, so it is true that we are the ideal provider for orthopedic injuries and post-surgical rehabilitation. We would be happy to assist you in returning to full function following an […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://wwspt.com/you-asked-about-physical-therapy-at-wwspt/">You Asked About Physical Therapy at WWSPT…</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wwspt.com">WWSPT.Com</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>When most people think of Physical Therapy, they think of somewhere that you go to recover after surgery or injury. Physical therapists are movement specialists, so it is true that we are the ideal provider for orthopedic injuries and post-surgical rehabilitation. We would be happy to assist you in returning to full function following an injury to your knee, hip, back, neck, ankle, or shoulder. However, there are other specialties that physical therapists may treat of which many people are unaware.</p> <p>Our clinic specializes in vestibular rehabilitation. Vestibular refers to the balance system located in your inner ear. We treat patients for balance deficits/dizziness problems that may or may not be related to your inner ear. These diagnoses include benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), neuronitis or labyrinthitis, concussion, Parkinson’s Disease, vestibular migraine, motion sensitivity, and general gait or balance dysfunction among others. Falls are the #1 cause of morbidity and mortality in older adults, so balance deficits and diminished balance confidence should not be left untreated. In addition, dizziness is NOT a normal symptom of aging and can contribute to falling. If you or someone you know is feeling dizzy, it is important to see a vestibular physical therapist to see if the issue can be addressed before it results in a fall which can lead to injury.</p> <p><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Group-with-Jenna-sit-stand.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p> </p> <p>Physical therapists also treat pelvic floor dysfunction. This can include incontinence, difficulty with bowel and bladder movements, pain with intercourse, postpartum and pregnancy-related pain and/or weakness, and other pelvic pain/dysfunction. While we at WWSPT do not specifically treat pelvic floor dysfunction, we would be happy to point you in the direction of a therapist who would be able to meet your needs.</p> <p>Because the hand is such an intricate and detailed body area, there are some physical therapists (and occupational therapists) that are certified, hand specialists. There are other physical therapists who specialize in treating the pediatric population. Others work in cardiac rehabilitation following heart attacks, strokes, and heart surgeries. Some physical therapists focus on the treatment of neurologic diagnoses such as spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, or stroke.</p> <p> </p> <p>Because of the variety of specialties and abilities of physical therapists, we can be found in many different settings. You will find physical therapists at an outpatient clinic, a hospital, a nursing home, a school, or on the sideline at a sporting event.<br /> All newly licensed physical therapists must have a doctoral degree, or DPT, to practice. This means that practicing therapists either have many years of experience or 7 years of education after high school when they are treating you. You are in well-educated, caring, and capable hands. So take advantage of the wide variety of physical therapy care available to you in order to live your best life!</p> <p>Dr.Kelsey Hanlon, PT, DPT</p> <p>WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation<br /> 1456 Ferry Road<br /> Suite 601<br /> Doylestown, PA 18901</p> <p>P:215-489-3234</p> <p>The post <a href="https://wwspt.com/you-asked-about-physical-therapy-at-wwspt/">You Asked About Physical Therapy at WWSPT…</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wwspt.com">WWSPT.Com</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://wwspt.com/you-asked-about-physical-therapy-at-wwspt/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">3289</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Imbalance Impacts Our Lives!</title> <link>https://wwspt.com/imbalance-impacts-our-lives/</link> <comments>https://wwspt.com/imbalance-impacts-our-lives/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jenna McLane PT, DPT]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 24 Sep 2021 14:20:04 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[balance]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category> <category><![CDATA[BPPV]]></category> <category><![CDATA[BPPV treatment]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Dizziness]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Eye Strain]]></category> <category><![CDATA[headache]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Health and Wellness]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Migraines]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Physical Therapy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Somatosensory System]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vertigo]]></category> <category><![CDATA[vestibular disorders]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vestibular Rehabilitation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vestibular System]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Visual System]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WWSPT]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wwspt.com/?p=3248</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>It’s Balance Awareness Week at WWSPT and a time for us to acknowledge the impact #imbalance has on our lives. Many people know very little about #dizziness and #vertigo until they suffer from it themselves. It can be quite unnerving to suddenly feel off #balance. The truth is #balance is achieved through input from our […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://wwspt.com/imbalance-impacts-our-lives/">Imbalance Impacts Our Lives!</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wwspt.com">WWSPT.Com</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>It’s Balance Awareness Week at WWSPT and a time for us to acknowledge the impact #imbalance has on our lives. Many people know very little about #dizziness and #vertigo until they suffer from it themselves. It can be quite unnerving to suddenly feel off #balance.</p> <p><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/BPPVanDizziness.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p>The truth is #balance is achieved through input from our visual system, feedback from our proprioceptors, and our #vestibular system. Many of our patients come to us feeling #unsteady and they don’t know why. We often find that these patients may have some visual impairment and diminished proprioception at baseline that they have been able to compensate for until they suffer from a new-onset vestibular issue that suddenly magnifies the deficits that they were already coping with.</p> <p> </p> <p>Most individuals assume that if they have #vertigo they must have “crystals out” or #BPPV. The fact is, many things can cause #dizziness including but not limited to issues with the #vestibular system. Unsteadiness and or vertigo can be caused by displaced otoconia (BPPV), infection or vascular damage of the inner ear (neuritis/labyrinthitis), migraine, and more. This is just a very short list of common vestibular disorders. In addition, one can also be unsteady due to cardiac issues, peripheral neuropathy, and disorders of the brain and brainstem.</p> <p><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/man-dizzy-dizziness.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p>Not all dizziness is due to crystals and not all unsteadiness is due to aging, as so many of our patients assume. If you are struggling on your feet with your balance, please give us a call at WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation, Doylestown, PA.</p> <p> </p> <p>Dr, Jenna McLane, PT, DPT,<br /> WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation,<br /> Doylestown, PA.<br /> 215-490-3234</p> <p> </p> <p>The post <a href="https://wwspt.com/imbalance-impacts-our-lives/">Imbalance Impacts Our Lives!</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wwspt.com">WWSPT.Com</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://wwspt.com/imbalance-impacts-our-lives/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">3248</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Grounding Exercises for BALANCE</title> <link>https://wwspt.com/grounding-exercises-for-balance/</link> <comments>https://wwspt.com/grounding-exercises-for-balance/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Wendy Webb Schoenewald, PT, OCS]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 22 Sep 2021 15:42:19 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[balance]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Balanec Awareness Week]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Grounding]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Health and Wellness]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Physical Therapy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[PT Treatments]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Somatosensory System]]></category> <category><![CDATA[vestibular disorders]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vestibular Rehabilitation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vestibular System]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Visual System]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WWSPT]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wwspt.com/?p=3242</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>With VeDA’s National Balance Awareness Week upon us, I would like to share a technique we use in the clinic with our vestibular patients who have poor confidence in their balance. The patients we use this with could have a vestibular pathology, visual sensory issues, or (balance issues related) compensation related to joint or spine […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://wwspt.com/grounding-exercises-for-balance/">Grounding Exercises for BALANCE</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wwspt.com">WWSPT.Com</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>With <a href="https://vestibular.org/article/baw/">VeDA’s National Balance Awareness Week</a> upon us, I would like to share a technique we use in the clinic with our vestibular patients who have poor confidence in their balance. The patients we use this with could have a vestibular pathology, visual sensory issues, or (balance issues related) compensation related to joint or spine injuries, though we all could benefit from practicing grounding exercises. Some forms of exercise like yoga and tai chi naturally demand a grounding strategy and we have evidence these improve balance and can play a role in the prevention of falls.</p> <p>As you may have read in our Monday WWSPT blog, <a href="https://wwspt.com/why-we-lose-our-balance/">“Why We Lose our Balance”</a>, by Dr.Greg Synnestvedt PT DPT, <strong>balance is a complex multisystem task </strong>needing input from the visual, vestibular and postural systems. Depending on the task, the input needed from each can change, for example, walking in the dark needs more vestibular and postural input since vision is not effective.</p> <p>The practice of grounding begins with being aware of our feet and how we use them to grip the floor during different activities. Our toes and feet should grip the surface, essentially holding on as we reach or bend forward and our center of gravity shifts. Weakness in our feet or loss of sensation like in neuropathy can affect our ability to use our feet to help us balance.</p> <p><strong>Let’s try it. To be safe, try this near a wall or in front of a chair if you are unstable</strong></p> <ol> <li>Standing with bare feet, grip the ground with your toes and muscles of the feet and hold for 10-15 seconds. This sends more neural input all the way to your brain, lighting up the postural pathways to your brain, and visuovestibular pathways.</li> <li>Begin to shift your weight forward to your toes and backward to your heels with the same gripping the ground. Begin with small movements and as you feel able, lean more to the edge of falling. Repeat 10-20 times</li> <li>Next, try to shift your weight from side to side onto the lateral part of your foot. This should include hips moving but not involve leaning the trunk. Begin with smaller movement and as you feel able to shift more.</li> <li>Once you feel comfortable with those, try moving clockwise in an oval gripping the ground. Shifting weight to toes, right side of the foot, then heels, and finally left side of the foot. Do this in a controlled smooth motion paying attention to how much your feet and lower legs are contributing. Complete 10x and then reverse to a counterclockwise direction 10 x.</li> <li>Now that you have a feel for making your feet and legs stronger with simple balance, try just standing with your eyes closed. You will feel your feet automatically have to work harder without vision to help. You may feel like you’re swaying. Begin grounding with your feet and hold for 30 seconds (now you can appreciate how much vision contributes to balance) If you did well with this, then begin the clockwise and counterclockwise sway with eyes closed.</li> </ol> <p><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/physical-Therapy-Grounding.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p>There are ways to progress with grounding as you feel more able, remembering to grip the surface</p> <ul> <li>Perform with good supportive shoes</li> <li>Perform with your feet closer together</li> <li>Perform on a 2–3-inch foam surface</li> <li>Perform on wobble board</li> <li>Perform when in yoga poses such as a tree or just when balancing on one foot</li> <li>During Tai Chi weight shifting and sequences</li> </ul> <p>These exercises can help strengthen your balance reactions by improving sensory signals to your eye’s ears and cerebellum from your feet!</p> <p><strong>Light up those pathways that help you Balance!</strong></p> <p>Wendy Webb Schoenewald, PT, OCS,<br /> WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation,<br /> Doylestown, PA.</p> <p>(215) 489-3234</p> <p>The post <a href="https://wwspt.com/grounding-exercises-for-balance/">Grounding Exercises for BALANCE</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wwspt.com">WWSPT.Com</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://wwspt.com/grounding-exercises-for-balance/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">3242</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Why We Lose Our Balance</title> <link>https://wwspt.com/why-we-lose-our-balance/</link> <comments>https://wwspt.com/why-we-lose-our-balance/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Gregory Synnestvedt PT, DPT]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 20 Sep 2021 05:00:55 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[balance]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category> <category><![CDATA[falls]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Health and Wellness]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Physical Therapy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Somatosensory System]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vestibular Rehabilitation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vestibular System]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Visual System]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WWSPT]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wwspt.com/?p=3221</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Balance Awareness week – September 19 – 25 We often take our body’s ability to maintain our balance for granted … until we have issues with one of the systems that help us balance. This week is the Vestibular Disorders Association’s, VeDA, “Balance Awareness Week” which seeks to raise awareness of vestibular disorders and the […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://wwspt.com/why-we-lose-our-balance/">Why We Lose Our Balance</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wwspt.com">WWSPT.Com</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Balance Awareness week – September 19 – 25</p> <p>We often take our body’s ability to maintain our balance for granted … until we have issues with one of the systems that help us balance. This week is the Vestibular Disorders Association’s, VeDA, “Balance Awareness Week” which seeks to raise awareness of vestibular disorders and the impact they have on people’s lives.</p> <p>Let’s take a look at the different systems that can impact a person’s balance. Vestibular therapy can involve a bit of “detective work” to figure out what exactly is causing dizziness or imbalance since the inner ear is not the only system involved in our equilibrium.</p> <p>There are 3 primary systems that give you your ability to balance: your<strong> vision, </strong>your<strong> somatosensory system, </strong>and your<strong> vestibular system (part of your inner ear).</strong></p> <p><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Three-systems.png" alt="" /></p> <p>Image via Research Gate.</p> <p>Let’s first examine your <strong>Visual</strong> system. If you close your eyes, you might notice that your body sways more and you have to work harder to stay balanced. This is because your eyes are no longer providing your brain with visual information about where you are and how you are moving. When we move, we perceive things moving past us which helps us know how we are moving.</p> <p>Next, your <strong>Somatosensory</strong> system, which includes everything from the sensation of touch on your skin to the sensations from your muscles, tendons, and joints, is also providing valuable information whenever possible to help you stay balanced. This system includes your proprioception or your sense of where your limbs and joints are positioned in space. If you suddenly step onto a small rock, you would feel the pebble under your shoe and you might feel your ankle position change and different muscles kick in–information that in a split second can help your brain keep you balanced.</p> <p>The third and final system is your <strong>Vestibular</strong> system, which is a fantastic little sense organ the size of your pinky nail which resides in your inner ear. The vestibular system gives your brain information about how your head is positioned and how your head is moving. If you close your eyes and begin to sway, your vestibular system will help detect and correct the swaying (in addition to your proprioception).</p> <p>In practice, the three systems work together with our brain, which makes sense of the inputs coming in and decides what adjustments, if any, need to be made to keep our balance.</p> <p>Because of the brain’s role in balance, being distracted can cause anyone of any age to lose their balance, trip, or fall. If one of your balance systems is compromised, standing or walking with good balance may require even more brainpower. That means that if your cognitive resources are being used to talk, recall something, or read something, you might be more likely to lose your balance.</p> <p> </p> <p>People often refer to vestibular and balance disorders as “invisible disorders” because issues with these balance systems or the integration of sensory inputs in the brain might not be visible with imaging and testing typically used to find diseases and disorders. However, balance problems are very real and can have serious consequences of injury. Thankfully, many are also treatable, with treatments such as vestibular therapy, which is partly why raising awareness of these disorders is so important. We see some patients who have been feeling off-balance or dizzy for months or even years who thought that this was just because they were a klutz or just because they were getting old.</p> <p>Don’t wait until your balance becomes a serious problem–learn why it is a problem and what you can do about it today!</p> <p> </p> <p>Dr.Greg Synnestvedt PT DPT.<br /> WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation,<br /> Doylestown, PA.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://wwspt.com/why-we-lose-our-balance/">Why We Lose Our Balance</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wwspt.com">WWSPT.Com</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://wwspt.com/why-we-lose-our-balance/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">3221</post-id> </item> </channel> </rss>