{"id":1033,"date":"2013-03-26T20:21:05","date_gmt":"2013-03-27T00:21:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thehopenet.org\/blog\/?p=147"},"modified":"2020-08-27T10:10:35","modified_gmt":"2020-08-27T14:10:35","slug":"balance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thehopenet.org\/blog2\/balance\/","title":{"rendered":"What Physical Therapy Can Do To Help You With Balance If You Have ET"},"content":{"rendered":"

We had our Falls Church support group meeting at Little River Glen Senior Center March 14, 2013. Our speaker was Jordan Tucker, DPT, Fair Oaks Hospital, Outpatient Clinic.\u00a0 Below are notes and handouts from that presentation.<\/p>\n

Balance is often a problem for people with ET.\u00a0 Decreased strength and flexibility, which often come with ET, can adversely affect balance.\u00a0 Flexibility is important because the ability to stretch one\u2019s leg, calf, and chest muscles affects balance.\u00a0\u00a0 Similarly, lack of strength to easily get out a chair can result in falls.\u00a0 Scoliosis and gait issues may make the body lean in one direction, throwing you off balance.\u00a0 ET sufferers also have more trouble dual tasking, i.e., walking and talking or walking in one direction and looking in another.\u00a0 Ankle instability, high or low arches, knee or gait issues, weak ankles, and hip problems also affect balance.\u00a0 Physical therapists work with patients to deal with all these problems.<\/p>\n

Physical therapists experienced in working on balance with patients who have neurological issues tend to be found in hospitals.\u00a0 Call your local hospital to see if they offer it.\u00a0 Be aware that, if you are on Medicare, there is an $1800 cap on PT.\u00a0 However, there are exceptions to this limit, such as a change in your diagnosis or treating multiple problems.<\/p>\n

Physical therapy involves an initial evaluation followed by a plan for exercises done with the therapist and a plan for exercises to do at home.\u00a0 The course of treatment will take place twice a week for two weeks or longer.\u00a0 It typically involves stretching, strengthening specific muscles as needed, and balance exercises.\u00a0 You can get a prescription for physical therapy from any doctor \u2013 your primary care physician as well as a neurologist. Just ask.<\/p>\n

Physical therapy can retrain the three systems that have to do with balance:<\/p>\n