Computerized Biodex Balance Testing and Rehabilitation

The Program for Balance & Restoration

What Controls Balance?
Ability to maintain balance is a complex process that depends of four major components:

1. Orthopedic Disorders
   • Osteoarthritis/Osteoporosis
   • Joint Replacement
   • Skeletal Trauma (Fractures)
2. Sight (Eyes)
3. Inner Ear Motion Sensors
4. Touch (Feet, Ankle, Joints)

A person with a balance disorder may have a problem in any one or more of these systems. In some individuals, one or more of the senses are missing and the person does not realize they are losing their balance. In other people, the brain gets confused and creates an inaccurate sense of falling when in fact the person is in balance.

How Can Therapy Help My Balance Problem?
Our services have been expanded to include vestibular rehabilitation and sensory integration. Our licensed physical therapists are able to objectively measure the individual's sensory organization and processes, visual deficits and balance dysfunction. The treatment and evaluation procedures are invaluable to the following vestibular system disorders: Benign Paroxysmal Positional Nystagmus (BPPN) or Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), Perilymph Fistula, Vestibular Neuronitis or Vestibular Labrynthitis and Meniere's Disease.

Specific disorders that can benefit from balance training:

Nintendo Wii and Biodex Balance Testing and Training Systems

• Test to identify fall candidates and patients predisposition to injury.
• Objectively measures proprioceptive balance compared to normative data.
• Used for a variety of patients: geriatric, professional athletes and children.
• Provides a challenging and innovative way to motivate patients.
• Reduces falls and improve ambulation.
• Endurance & balance exercises.
• Progressive total body workout.
• Increase weight shifting, proprioception and ROM.

Aquatic Therapy for Balance Disorders

Aquatic Exercise Therapy (AET) is the union of aquatic exercise and physical therapy. It is a comprehensive therapeutic approach that provides a buoyant, supportive environment to enhance balance, movement and coordination to help many patients transfer back to land-based activities. Water provides a safe, comforting, relaxed environment for gentle aerobic exercise while increasing mobility and overall conditioning and ability to function in daily living. AET is one of the only treatments that can increase range of motion without the compression of weight bearing and can encourage patient confidences, thus helping to speed patient recovery. Balance problems that benefit from aquatic therapy are CVA, Parkinson's, Multiple Sclerosis, Vestibular disorders with Ataxia and fear of falling.