How Physical Therapy Can Improve Your Child’s Balance

Understanding How Our Balance Works

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

Maintaining good balance depends on:

• Getting the correct sensory information 
• The brain correctly using information
• The right muscles responding

Many different systems in your body work together to create stability. Sensory information for balance comes from your:

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

Changes in any of these systems can cause balance problems. 

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 That Can Help in the Office and Beyond

Physical therapists can assess 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 of the common exercises a physical therapist might ask you to do with your child at home:

If any of the above exercises cause your child pain, stop. Then, notify your physical therapist.

Speak with your care team before trying any exercises.