Physical Therapy to Improve Your Child’s Balance

How balance works

Balance is the even distribution of weight that helps you remain upright and steady.

To maintain good balance:

• You get the correct sensory information 
• Your brain correctly uses those details
• The right muscles respond

Many different systems in your body work together to create stability.

Sensory information for balance comes from your:

• Visual system - It gives your brain information about your environment. It tells your brain where your body is in its space. 
• Somatosensory system - It helps you notice things like touch, pressure, pain, movement and position. These sensors are all over your body, in your muscles, joints and skin. They help your brain with body positioning.
• Vestibular system - It is in your inner ear. It tells your body how you've positioned your head. It also sends information about whether your body is moving forward, backward, up or down.

Changes in any of these systems can cause balance problems. 

Causes of balance problems

There can be many reasons your child may have a change in their sense of balance. These include medication side effects, pain, or nervous system injury.

Work with your health care team to find the causes of your child’s balance challenges. One solution is to work with a physical therapist to strengthen muscles. The physical therapist may also have tips for how to increase safety for your child at home.

Signs of balance issues

Here are some things you might notice if your child is having issues with balance:

• Difficulty walking
• Loss of balance 
• Falling or stumbling
• Dizziness when changing positions, turning, standing, walking, or sitting

If you see any of these symptoms, talk with your child’s physical therapist or care team. Physical therapy can help strengthen muscles, increase flexibility, and work on positional changes. These things can improve balance.

Exercises to help balance

Physical therapists can look at your child’s balance and create the best plan of care. That can include visits to their office for treatment. It might include a set of home exercises, too. 

Here are some exercises a physical therapist might ask you to do with your child at home: