Balance Pads - Improve More Than Just Balance
Patients may choose to undergo physical therapy to help with their balance. Balance deficiencies can result from decreased muscle strength, flexibility, and other factors. Balance training is recommended to improve these specific impairments and functional limitations.
Traditionally, healthcare professionals have used balance pads to help patients enhance their overall balance. In addition, they can aid with other aspects of patient care to maximize the client's rehabilitation and training.
Balance usually consists of three main elements: Proprioception, Vestibular, and Visual.
Proprioception – our ability to determine where we are in space and how we negotiate on varying surfaces
Vestibular – inner ear organs that allow us to maintain equilibrium when placed in different positions
Visual – visual input including light, colour, and movement
Balance Pads create a challenging surface for patients to perform a variety of activities under the care of a healthcare professional. They will help to improve strength, endurance, stability and balance. In addition, there are other advantages to using balance pads in a patient's exercise regimen. For example, patients can learn to strategize when they are feeling off-balanced. Strategies include:
- Hip strategy – due to larger displacements of the center of mass
- Ankle strategy – due to smaller displacements of the center of mass
- Stepping strategy – using upper and/or lower extremities as a protective response when other strategies are unavailable.
Balance pads help patients develop these strategies. Targeting different muscles to improve motor control can help individuals protect themselves from injury. People are usually "programmed" to do the same type of activity every day. However, exercising with a balance pad helps the client learn new information that triggers the body to learn new motor pathways. These new motor pathways keep patients dynamic and adjustable to disequilibrium. Improving the neuromuscular system is a crucial strategy to lessen the risk of injury.