Problems with balance or coordination after an injury, illness or neurological event are far from uncommon. Fortunately, the human brain is highly resilient and can reroute itself to perform lost functions. This process, known as neuroplasticity, can take time, but therapeutic exercises can speed up your recovery time significantly. Here are a few exercises you might be assigned once you’ve made an appointment with the best physical therapists in Baton Rouge.

Balance Exercises

Balance is a complicated process that requires multiple systems to work in conjunction. When you experience a serious event that impacts your body’s ability to keep itself upright, it can be difficult to carry out even simple daily tasks. Probably the simplest and most comprehensive method of improving your balance is to practice balance exercises.

For most patients suffering a loss of balance, simply standing upright is relatively simple. Problems are more likely to occur when you tilt your body or remove sources of stability. Usually, balance exercises require you to stand or exercise dynamically on one leg. Because your eyes communicate indirectly with your limbs, you may also have to stare at a target or exercise sheet. At a Baton Rouge balance & fall prevention clinic, your physical therapist will likely prescribe a series of exercises based on your particular circumstances.

Head & Neck Exercises

The head and neck are packed with nerves that can complicate the process of training balance. Sometimes, injuries affecting the head and neck can cause difficulty turning or twisting the head, resulting in spasms, discomfort, or stiffness. These problems can be frustrating and confusing, and you may previously have received unhelpful or even dubious advice on how to fix your condition.

A physical therapist can help to sort out problems into their respective categories based on the biological functions behind them. Often, the answer to seemingly a complicated movement problem is a relatively simple exercise. You should always be sure to consult a medical professional before attempting any exercise or training regimen, however, as the head and neck are extremely sensitive areas.

Vestibular Ocular Reflex Training

The vestibular system is responsible for combining information gathered by your inner ear and your vision in order to tell your body how it’s oriented in space. When you move your head while staring at an object, your brain knows that the image before you should remain stable. The reason your brain can reconcile the movement of your head and eyes is that your vestibular ocular reflex is hard at work on your behalf.

When this reflex breaks down after an accident or another adverse event, it can be trained back to a work order. Because this is one of the simplest problems for a doctor to identify, vestibular ocular exercises are often given to patients with head injuries before complex balance training begins.

If you live in central Louisiana and have been experiencing balance problems, look for experienced physical therapy in Brittany Balance problems are frustrating, but they can usually be resolved with modern therapeutic exercises. Healing can take time, so remember to be patient with your results. When you talk to your doctor, be sure to explain your symptoms and likely causes of your condition as clearly as possible.