Balance Therapy in New Braunfels, TX
What Is Balance and Why Is It So Important?
Balance is the body’s ability to maintain its center of gravity over its base of support. It’s what allows you to stand, walk, and move safely without falling. Whether you're getting out of bed, climbing stairs, or reaching for something on a shelf, balance plays an important role in every movement you make.
As we age, or when dealing with injury, illness, or neurological conditions, our balance can weaken. This increases your risk for falls!
How Does Balance Work?
Maintaining balance requires input from three key systems in the body:
Visual System: Your eyes help you understand your surroundings and detect motion.
Vestibular System (Inner Ear): Detects changes in head position and motion.
Proprioceptive System: Sensors in your muscles and joints tell your brain where your body is in space.
These systems work together, sending signals to your brain which coordinates movements and helps you stay upright.
What Causes Poor Balance?
Impaired balance can result from:
Aging and muscle loss
Neurological conditions (e.g., Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke)
Inner ear or vestibular disorders
Vision loss
Injuries to muscles, joints, or nerves
Medications that affect alertness or coordination
Even small balance issues can lead to loss of independence, falls, and fear of movement if not addressed early.
Balance & Fall Statistics
1 in 4 adults over 65 experiences a fall each year.
Falls are the leading cause of injury among older adults.
More than 95% of hip fractures are caused by falling—usually sideways.
How Physical Therapy Helps
A licensed physical therapist can evaluate your balance systems, identify areas of weakness, and create a personalized treatment plan that includes:
Strength and coordination training
Gait and posture correction
Vestibular rehabilitation
Functional movement training
Fall prevention education
In many cases, balance can be improved at any age, especially with guided therapy and regular activity.
The Benefits of Improving Balance
Reduced risk of falls and injuries
Improved mobility and confidence
Better posture
Enhanced ability to perform daily tasks
Greater independence and quality of life
How We Test for Balance Problems
To evaluate your balance and fall risk, we use three quick, proven tests. Each measures how well your body responds to common movements and balance challenges. Your results are compared to age and gender based norms, so we can identify whether you're at risk and how to help.
TUG Test (Timed Up and Go): You stand up from a chair, walk 10 feet, turn, return, and sit.
What it shows: Mobility, speed, and safety.
Risk sign: Taking more than 12 seconds may mean increased fall risk.
Four-Stage Balance Test: You hold four standing positions for 10 seconds each—progressing from feet together to one foot only.
What it shows: Static balance and postural control.
Risk sign: Inability to hold the heel-to-toe position may signal higher fall risk.
mcTSIB (Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction in Balance): You stand on firm and soft surfaces with eyes open and closed.
What it shows: How well your visual, inner ear, and body-awareness systems work together.
Risk sign: Swaying or loss of balance under certain conditions may indicate sensory imbalance.
Related Conditions that can affect balance:
Vertigo and dizziness
Parkinson’s disease
Stroke
Joint replacements
Peripheral neuropathy
Muscle weakness due to inactivity
We Bring Balance Therapy to You
At BTY Physical Therapy, we specialize in mobile physical therapy, bringing personalized balance training and fall prevention directly to your home in New Braunfels, TX. Our mission is to help you feel stronger, safer, and more confident every day.