24 March, 2017
How can balance be measured?
Balance can be assessed using simple tests such as standing on one leg, timing your ability to get up from a chair or standing with your feet together with eyes closed. You can try these tests at home to see if you wobble unsteadily or if standing on one leg is more difficult than the other.
To get more accurate and specific information, computerised balance testing can be performed. It is a simple and painless 5 minute assessment. Your results are then compared to ‘normal’ individuals of the same age, sex, height and weight.
Balance Assessment in Moonee Ponds
Computerised balance assessments give detailed information about your:
Risk of falling -- how likely are you to suffer a fall and under what conditions?
Sway pattern -- how far are you swaying from centre and in which direction/s?
Likely weakness -- do you need to rehabilitate your visual, vestibular, proprioceptive or a combination of these systems?
Balance age -- what does your balance suggest your age is?
This information is vital for creating an efficient treatment plan including home exercises. For example, if we know what conditions you are more likely to fall over in, we can put measures in place to prevent those situations. Additionally, we can give individualised body, head and eye movements which will strengthen your balance performance.
What conditions might balance testing be useful for?
Dizziness & vertigo
Balance disorders
Falls risk
Concussion assessment
Chronic pain
Childhood developmental delays
Yoga, dance and gymnastics injuries
Advantages of computerised testing compared to old-school bedside testing?
Accuracy. Computerised testing allows for a more precise assessment compared to relying solely on the practitioner’s observation skills.
Tracking Changes
Computerised testing allows progress to be tracked over time. Is your treatment the most appropriate for you and your condition? Is your balance improving or are you wasting your time with your home exercises?
Appointments available in Moonee Ponds or online.
About the Author
Dr Cassie Atkinson-Quinton - Chiropractor, Brain Health Coach & Biofeedback Practitioner
Dr Cassie is a Chiropractor and Brain Health Coach. Having a special interest in treating nerves and brain-based conditions like nerve pain, chronic pain, dizziness, whiplash, migraines and fibromyalgia. She's one of a handful of practitioners to be trained in Neuro-Rehabilitation, Neurofeedback, QEEG Functional Brain Scans and Brain Health Coaching. She’s had concussions and atypical migraines as well as a vestibular disorder called Labyrinthitis. During this time, she would hold on to tables to avoid falling over. She understands the journey coming from a family of chronic pain and migraine sufferers.
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