Balance Programs

At Tender Loving Care Physical Therapy, our Balance Programs blend vestibular, strength, and proprioceptive training to help patients—from active adults to seniors—reclaim stability and prevent falls.

How TLC Uses This Program

  • Thorough assessment of inner-ear function, lower-extremity strength, joint proprioception, and vision.
  • Vestibular maneuvers (e.g., canalith repositioning), dynamic gait drills, plus sensor-assisted feedback.
  • Ongoing progression based on functional testing to ensure continuous gains.

Common Uses

  • Fall risk reduction in older adults
  • Vestibular disorders (BPPV, labyrinthitis, Ménière’s)
  • Post-stroke gait retraining
  • Peripheral neuropathy–related unsteadiness
  • Orthopedic deconditioning (post-injury/illness)

Advantages of This Method vs. Invasive Approaches

  • Multifactorial Correction: Addresses vestibular, proprioceptive, visual, and strength deficits without the need for surgery or injections
  • Objective Progress Tracking: Uses balance sensors and functional tests rather than costly imaging to measure gains
  • Fall Prevention: Demonstrated reductions in fall rates and related injuries without procedural risks
  • Physician Collaboration & Documentation: Detailed reports support coordinated care without additional specialist referrals

References

  1. Sherrington C, Fairhall N, Kwok W, et al. Evidence on Physical Activity and Falls Prevention for People Aged 65+ Years: Systematic Review to Inform WHO Guidelines. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2020;17(1):144. Found high-certainty evidence that well-designed exercise programs reduce falls by ~25% in community-dwelling older adults (BioMed Central).
  2. Gillespie LD, Robertson MC, Gillespie WJ, et al. Interventions for Preventing Falls in Older People Living in the Community. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012;(9):CD007146. Demonstrated that balance and functional exercises plus strength training reduce fall rates by up to 39% when performed ≥3 hours/week (PubMed).

Howe TE, Rochester L, Neil F, Skelton DA, Ballinger C. Exercise for Preventing and Treating Falls in Older People. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2011;59(1):148–157. Showed that targeted balance training alone reduces fall risk by 21% compared with no exercise (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov).