It is easy to take balance for granted when we are young and have good balance. By the time we reach old age, poor balance is common. In the older population we see people walking slowly with caution, holding the railings and generally limiting activities because they feel unstable. These people risk falling and increase their risk of fractures.

The good news is we do not need to equate older age with poor balance and increased falls risks. Balance control has many components, one of the major and the most changeable are muscles. When our muscles weaken, our balance control is diminished. This is one of the reasons why people who have pain, arthritis or are sedentary, have poorer balance than active people. Muscles that are tight and performing a guarding role can also cause balance issues, as they pull us unevenly. As physiotherapists we can assess your balance issues, improve your muscle function and your muscle tightness.

At Burns Bay Physiotherapy we understand balance, pain and movement. We use a systematic whole-body assessment to efficiently find and treat the cause of your condition as well as teach you how to manage yourself for the long term.

Published in The Village Observer, August 2018. Written by Burns Bay Physiotherapy.