Bad falls are a constant worry for seniors and others who have physical challenges. And those worries aren’t unfounded. Falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths and serious health problems in the U.S.

Improving your walking skills — technically known as your “gait” — and your balance are interrelated challenges. At FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers we help you master these skills to decrease your risk of injury, while at the same time increasing your confidence and independence.

What are the benefits of balance and gait training?

Balance and gait are inextricably linked because they tend to impact one another. Even if you don’t think you’re in danger of falling over, that “running out of steam” while walking that you’re attributing to aging muscles could be something else. The problem might actually be slowing reflexes, which make moving around seem more strenuous than it is. By the same token, poor posture and gait can throw off those reflexes.

In fact, the balance and gait systems both rely to some extent on a complex number of body systems that include the inner ear, the eyes, the joint-muscle-nerve system, and of course cognitive functions. Therapy that improves gait and balance works with all of these systems to keep them functioning in harmony.

Gait and balance training has a range of benefits, with avoiding injuries being at the top of the list. Beyond lessening your chances of falling or feeling dizzy, you’re also more likely to feel confident with your footing. In addition, those aches and pains from poor posture are likely to decrease as well.

What does balance and gait training entail?

First, we’ll evaluate your gait to determine potential problems with strength and posture. Simple movements to test balance are also part of the assessment. Together, these basic evaluations point us in the direction of what to focus on in terms of therapy.

Hip and ankle weakness often leads to balance problems, as does poor posture. Strength and flexibility movements can help counteract these problems. These are often as simple as leg lifts while seated in a chair, or “knee marching.” We may also practice standing on one leg, walking heel-to-toe, or tracking the movement of your thumb with your eyes as you move it in various positions.

At FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers, our therapists realize how important balance and walking is for independent living, as well as for work activities, exercise, sports and enjoying life in general.

That’s why we provide a range of programs and therapies to evaluate and treat balance disorders:

• Assessment and Evaluation Programs
• Difficulty Walking
• Gait Training and Balance Programs
• Fall Prevention and Balance Retraining
• Manual Therapy
• Fitness and Wellness Programs
• Vestibular Rehab
• Functional Training

Ready to “balance” your life again?

With our dedicated team of physical therapists behind you, you’ll regain confidence in navigating challenging terrain and learning how to avoid dizzy spells. You may even be able to leave that cane or walker behind!

Dry needling is an invasive procedure in which a solid filament needle is inserted into the skin and muscle directly ata myofascial trigger point. A myofascial trigger point consists of multiple contraction knots, which are related to the production and maintenance of the pain cycle. 

What type of problems can be treated with dry needling?

Dry needling can be used for a variety of musculoskeletal problems. Muscles are thought to be a primary contributing factor to the symptoms. Such conditions include, but are not limited to:

• neck/back/shoulder pain
• tennis elbow
• carpal tunnel
• golfer’s elbow
• tension headaches and migraines
• sciatica
• hamstrings strains
• calf tightness/spasms

The treatment of muscles has the greatest effect on reducing pain mechanisms in the nervous system.

The body's nervous system can be damaged by injury, infection, structural defects, degeneration, tumors and more, which can cause any number of neurological disorders. No one is immune, as nerve disorders can occur in people of all ages. You can benefit greatly from neurological rehabilitation. At FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers, experienced therapists work with those who suffer from common neurological conditions such as:

• Nerve and pain disorders
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Gait and balance disorders
• Headaches
• Parkinson's disease
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Stroke / CVA (cerebrovascular accident)
• Multiple sclerosis
• Cerebral palsy
• Spinal cord injuries
• Sciatica and radiculopathies
• Concussions

The goal of neurological rehabilitation is to maximize your independence and improve your quality of life. Our knowledgeable and compassionate physical therapists will work with you to:

• Alleviate your pain
• Restore normal movement and function
• Improve your balance and coordination
• Increase your range of motion
• Help you perform activities of daily living such as eating, dressing, bathing, grooming, using the toilet, handwriting, cooking, and basic housekeeping.

Setting both short and long-term goals is an important component of neurological rehab, and our therapists will work with you and your family to set and achieve these goals.

FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers Skilled Orthopedic therapists can help you overcome any type of muscle, joint or nerve pain; restore your range of motion; increase your strength; and help you feel years younger. Your one-on-one customized treatment program may include:

• Medical exercise therapy
• Strengthening exercises
• Flexibility and range of motion exercises
• Cardiovascular exercises
• Gait training
• Balance training
• Posture and coordination training
• Manual and massage therapy
• Activities of Daily Living (ADL) training
• Fall prevention
• Injury prevention
• Fitness and wellness program

our therapists have a large selection of equipment in our state-of-the-art facility, which means you get first-class, comprehensive care at every visit. You deserve to love your life, feel good, and be happy.

No matter what ails you, the amazing therapists at FYZICAL can take care of all your aches and pains - from head to toe - and get you back on track. Our experts treat clients with all types of general orthopedic injuries and conditions, including:

• Arthritis
• Post-surgical rehab
• Neck and back pain
• Joint replacements (hip, knee, shoulder)
• Shoulder and elbow injuries
• Knee injuries
• Foot and ankle injuries
• Tendon and ligament injuries
• Muscle weakness
• Overuse injuries
• Pediatric injuries and therapy
• Geriatric injuries and conditions
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Rotator cuff tear
• Low back pain
• TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders
• Incontinence

Your surgeon has done a fine job in surgery repairing your damaged body. However, this doesn’t guarantee full success in your ability to return to normal activities. Prior to and after surgery, joint motion and muscle strength are lost quickly. Proper rehabilitation is required to restore normal joint movement and return your strength.

Depending on the injury and type of surgery, this can be a simple rehabilitative process or a complicated recovery. Our expert physical therapists in treating many post surgical patients means we can achieve excellent outcomes for your recovery no matter the extent of your injury. We are with you every step of the way. Contact us in Raleigh, NC center to learn how we can help you recover quickly from your surgery with empowering results.

Our post-surgical rehab program is ideal for:

• Knee, hip and shoulder joint replacements
• ACL, MCL, PCL and LCL tears of the knee
• Meniscus and arthroscopy surgery recovery
• Shoulder post-surgical recovery for rotator cuff tears, arthroscopy and more
• General rehabilitation after surgery