Don’t Fall! Here’s A Simple Balance Test

Hey, it’s Dr. Jake Berman!

Let’s talk about balance. It’s one of the most common things people want us to help them with when they come in to the clinic!

Balance is something we take for granted until it’s taken away. Remember when you used to do cartwheels or spin around as fast as you could when you were a kid? Back when getting dizzy and falling over was something you did for FUN?

Ah, the good old days!

There are thee main systems that are responsible for your balance: the vestibular system (a fancy word for “the inner ear”), your vision, and proprioception. These concepts are actually very easy to understand! Let’s dive in and figure out what we need to focus on to improve our balance:

VESTIBULAR

Your inner ear consists of a number of semi-circular canals. As fluid circulates through the canals, the brain is able to detect where your head is located and help you feel grounded and centered.

As you age, however, and you stop a lot of the activities you used to do (like cartwheels and spinning!), the fluid starts having trouble circulating. And when the fluid doesn’t circulate, the brain doesn’t know where you are, which results in vertigo, dizziness, and a balance deficit!

VISION

Test this out: Stand on one leg (or, if you’re not able to stand on one leg, put one foot in front of the other on the ground). Notice how steady you are.