Balance & Stability
Overview
If you don’t feel steady or your world feels “floaty,” we’ll figure out why and build a simple plan that fits your day. We look at three sensory systems that feed your brain the balance information it needs:
- Proprioceptive (joints/muscles, especially the neck) — body-position feedback
- Visual (eyes) — where you are in space
- Vestibular (inner ear) — head movement and position
When the neck is restricted or an inner-ear glitch occurs, “noisy” data from that system provides conflicting input with the visual or vestibular systems and this information mismatch confuses the brain into a temporary state of dizziness. When one sensory system lags, you compensate. We try to identify the cause and use adjustments and targeted exercises to retrain the system that’s behind it, helping you feel steadier.
When it may help
- Dizziness or lightheadedness with head movement or position changes
- Hesitation on stairs or curbs, or avoiding uneven ground
- Fear of falling or feeling “wobbly” when you close your eyes
- Post-injury balance that hasn’t felt the same
- You want more confidence for daily life or sport
What to expect
- Evaluate — standing tests (eyes open/closed), head turns, single‑leg stance
- Tracker — computerized balance score you can follow over time
- Plan — cervical/thoracic adjusting plus gaze, vestibular, and stance drills that match the cause
- Home plan — brief, right‑sized sets at home
How we measure progress
- Tracker sway metrics and risk-of-fall trend
- Functional wins: smoother turns, easier stairs, less drift
- Timed stances (tandem, single-leg) and task tolerance
Want the bigger picture of how we use a brain–body lens across all care? See Neurologic Approach.
FAQs
Do I need to be athletic?
No — balance work is for everyone. We tailor exercises to your level and goals.
Why isn’t “just strengthening” enough?
Strength helps, but balance depends on how your brain coordinates input from your joints, eyes, and inner ear. We target the specific system that’s lagging so the whole pattern improves.
How quickly will I notice change?
Some people feel improvements quickly; others build over weeks. We track what’s helping and adjust as needed.
Home plan?
Yes. You’ll get brief, clear routines that fit your schedule — no long workouts or complex exercises.
Referral if needed?
If another specialist is the better fit, we’ll refer to PT, orthopedics, or other providers. Your result comes first.