Balance and Gait Clinic

Do you suffer from dizziness? Do you have falls? Do you feel giddy? There are numerous causes of imbalance, but a substantial percentage is due to a weakness or deficit brain function. 

The vestibular system delivers information about motion and your body’s position in space. At Coastline Chiropractic Centre we have purposefully designed facilities with advanced and modern equipment to test your balance and help us determine what is causing your imbalance. 

The brain, inner ear, vision and sensation all pla y their part in maintaining balance. When one of these is impaired, the body experiences this misalliance of information as a feeling of imbalance. 

Mainly, knowledge of fall prevention and how they may affect a person’s level of engagement in daily activities, socialisation, and lifestyle is paramount for individuals with balance disorders. 

Four Risks Factors of Falls 

Some risk factors are obviously unavoidable – including age and gender. To limit your falls risk try and follow these four tips: 

1. Unsafe Environments 

Conditions that include dim or glary lighting, no handrails on stairs, no grab bars inside and outside toilet/ shower, and no stabilise throw rugs or carpet edges are a few examples that may lead to an increase in the risk of a fall. 

2. Visual health 

The quality of vision can significantly challenge an individual with a risk of falling. Alltered visual contrast, sensitivity, and depth perception are essential qualities that can be impaired, increasing the risk of a fall. 

3. Prescription drugs 

Often polypharmacy places an older adult at higher risk for falling. Such that more than 4 prescribed medications can expose a greater falls risk. Ask the pharmacist or doctor to review all medications routinely and use a large font for the drug label. Make sure you understand what the instructions mean, if not ask your practitioner or pharmacist. 

4. Balance health 

The ability to simultaneously walk and perform a cognitive task can be impaired with some individuals. Also, the capacity to stabilise the eyes with body movement can be disturbed. A thorough vestibular and balance evaluation is imperative for such individuals. 

There are many causes of balance problems. It's important to consult with your practitioner or medical neurologist if you feel you are experiencing balance problems.