Reactive balance is the ability to recover your balance quickly when something unexpected happens, like tripping, slipping, or losing your footing. It’s different from planned movements because reactive balance requires you to respond fast and automatically to keep from falling. Your brain, muscles, and senses work together to help you regain stability in these sudden situations.
Physical therapists help people improve reactive balance with exercises that train the body to react more effectively to these challenges. They create personalized exercise plans to build strength, coordination, and awareness of body position. Therapists might use activities that involve quick movements or slight pushes to teach the body how to respond to unexpected changes in position. These exercises help reduce the risk of falls and make you more confident and safe during everyday activities.
In addition to focusing on reactive balance, physical therapists work to prevent falls by addressing common risk factors like weakness, poor posture, or limited mobility. They design programs that strengthen muscles, improve flexibility, and enhance coordination. They may also recommend ways to make a person’s home or environment safer, such as removing trip hazards or using assistive devices like grab bars. By targeting both the body’s balance systems and the environment, physical therapists help individuals stay safer and more independent.
At Respire Physical Therapy, our Doctors of Physical Therapy will help you improve your balance to prevent falls. Call Respire Physical Therapy at the Falls Church Location (703-671-1871) or the Annandale Location (571-369-6728) or click here to schedule an evaluation with a Physical Therapist today and get back to the activities you love!
Tags: balance training, physical therapist, prevent falls, pt education, regain your movement freedom, choosept, movement is medicine, arlingtonva, alexandriava, ptworks, annandaleva, painfreeliving, Physical Therapy, health blog, Respire Physical Therapy
