Do You Have Difficulty Walking Due to Balance/Gait Issues?
For Elizabeth (not her real name), a vibrant 72-year-old retired teacher, life had always been about embracing every moment. She relished spending her days tending to her garden, meeting friends for tea, and sharing stories with her grandchildren. Yet, over time, something began to change.
It started subtly. Elizabeth noticed that her once-steady gait had become somewhat wobbly. Her confident stride had given way to tentative steps. Each morning, as she rose from her bed, she couldn’t ignore the peculiar feeling of imbalance that now seemed to accompany her every move.
With a touch of anxiety creeping in, Elizabeth began to modify her daily routine. She avoided taking long walks, opting for shorter strolls instead. The thought of climbing stairs made her apprehensive, and she held onto handrails with an iron grip.
One sunny afternoon, over tea with a close friend, Elizabeth finally confided her concerns. Her friend gently suggested that Elizabeth consider seeking care to help address her balance and gait issues. Her friend recommended REHABILITY NJ, noting that we offer a multidisciplinary treatment approach that integrates physical therapy, chiropractic care, and acupuncture–ensuring Elizabeth got the help she needed.
Elizabeth took her friend’s advice.
THE REHABILITY NJ CARE TO SHARE PROMOTION!
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The First Step: A Comprehensive Evaluation
On the day of her initial appointment, Elizabeth met with one of our physical therapists, who conducted a thorough evaluation, including questions about her medications, vision, and any other health concerns that could impact her stability.
Next, she performed a physical exam that included the following tests:
- Range of motion: We assessed her range of motion in the joints of the lower extremities.
- Muscle strength: We also tested her muscle strength in the lower extremities and core.
- Observation: We observed Elizabeth’s walking pattern and looked for abnormalities in her walking.
- Footwear: Finally, her footwear was evaluated to ensure it was appropriate for her daily routine and recreational activities.
As they reviewed the assessment results, her therapist explained that Elizabeth’s gait had patterns that were likely contributing to her feelings of instability and fear of falling. Fortunately, she also reassured her that working with the REHABILITY NJ’s integrated team could help address these issues.
Next Up: A Fall Risk Assessment
Her therapist also performed a fall risk assessment to get a complete picture. She asked Elizabeth more questions about her daily life, including specific questions about her home environment.
They discussed several measures to reduce obstacles at home that increase fall risks. Here are some that we gave Elizabeth:
- Remove boxes, newspapers, electrical cords, and any other trip hazards from walkways.
- Move coffee tables, magazine racks, and plant stands from high-traffic areas.
- Secure loose rugs with a slip-resistant backing — or remove loose rugs from the home.
- Place non-skid mats, strips, or carpets on all surfaces that may get wet.
Her therapist then guided Elizabeth through a series of balance tests to identify specific areas of weakness or instability. These tests helped pinpoint the root causes of Elizabeth’s balance issues.
You Could Be Our Next Success Story!
“Professional, effective, love the multi-discipline approach. I find it refreshing to go to a single place to get my treatments. These folks collaborate and that’s important to me. Also, the team seems to really like working with each other and that creates a healing environment.” -Deborah C.
“I’ve been coming here for 3 months and there’s no other physical therapy office like it. The therapists stay with you from the beginning to the end!! Highly recommended!!” -Paul N.
The Path to Recovery: Personalized Treatment Plan
With a comprehensive understanding of Elizabeth’s condition, we designed a treatment plan tailored to her needs:
- Targeted conditioning exercises and activities to improve strength and endurance in her core and lower extremities, which formed the foundation for good balance.
- Gait and balance training to help improve walking ability, stability and coordination while on her feet.
- Acupuncture therapy to help reduce muscle stiffness and increase blood flow in Elizabeth’s hip, making it easier for her to be more active.
- Chiropractic adjustments and mobilizations to help restore mobility and alignment in Elizabeth’s spine and joints, for maximum functional potential.
As the weeks passed, Elizabeth noticed a remarkable transformation. Her unsteady steps began to regain their steadiness. She grew more confident with each session, and the fear of falling slowly ebbed away. She practiced walking on different surfaces and navigating obstacles under her therapist’s watchful eye, gradually rebuilding her trust in her abilities.
Regaining Confidence: Progress and Results
Elizabeth’s story is a powerful reminder that balance and gait issues can affect anyone, even without a specific injury or medical condition. Working with our integrated team offers a comprehensive approach to addressing the underlying factors contributing to your gait or balance challenges. If you or a loved one is struggling with balance and gait issues, schedule an appointment with REHABILITY NJ to learn more about how we can help!
Recipe of the Month: Halloween Ghost Pizza
Ingredients:
Pizza Dough
- 2 cups plus 2 Tablespoons (11 ounces, 312 grams) bread flour
- 1-⅛ teaspoons instant or rapid-rise yeast
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- ¾ cup (6 ounces, 177 ml) filtered water
Super-Simple Pizza Sauce
- 16 ounces (2 8-ounce cans) tomato sauce
- 6 ounce can tomato paste
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1-½ teaspoons dried oregano
- 1-½ teaspoons dried basil
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon onion salt
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Ghosts for Pizza
- 6 slices (4 ounces, 113 grams) sliced Mozzarella cheese
- 1 Tablespoon sliced black olives
Halloween Ghost Pizza
- 8 ounces Pizza Dough, room temperature
- 1-½ Tablespoons olive oil
- ⅓ cup Super-Simple Pizza Sauce
- ¼ cup (.75 ounces, 22 grams) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1-½ cups (6 ounces, 170 grams) shredded Mozzarella cheese
- 1 teaspoon olive oil, for drizzling on cooked pizza
Instructions:
Pizza Dough
- Add bread flour, yeast, and salt to the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Pulse 5 times to combine. Add olive oil and water. Process until a rough ball forms, 30 to 40 seconds. Let rest for 2 minutes.
- Process an additional 30 seconds. Transfer to a lightly floured surface; knead by hand to form a smooth, round ball. Place in a large, lightly greased bowl; cover tightly with plastic wrap and let rise until doubled in size, about 1-½ hours. Yield: 1 pound of pizza dough – enough for two pizzas.
Super-Simple Pizza Sauce
- Add all ingredients to the blender. Purée for 30 seconds, or until all ingredients are well combined.
Ghosts for Pizza
- Trace an 11-inch circle on a piece of parchment paper. Flip to the other side. Set aside.
- Using ghost cookie cutters, cut out ghosts from sliced Mozzarella cheese. Position on parchment as you want them to appear on the finished pizza.
- Cut out eyes and mouths of black olive slices, and place them on the ghosts. Set aside until the pizza comes out of the oven.
Halloween Ghost Pizza
- Preheat oven to 450° F.
- Brush 1-½ Tablespoons of olive oil in bottom of 12-inch cast-iron skillet; set aside.
- Divide pizza dough in half. Press and roll one piece of dough into an 11-inch round. Transfer to prepared cast-iron skillet; gently push it to the corners of the pan. Spread ⅓ cup of super-simple pizza sauce over surface of dough leaving ½-inch border around the edge. Top with ¼ cup of the grated Parmesan cheese and 1-½ cups of the shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Set skillet over medium heat and cook until the outside edge of the dough is set and the pizza is lightly puffed, about 5 minutes. Transfer skillet to preheated oven; bake until the edge of the pizza is golden brown and the cheese is melted, 8 to 10 minutes.
- Remove pizza from oven; position the ghosts on the hot pizza.
- Remove pizza from cast-iron skillet. If desired, drizzle with olive oil, and serve.
