What are Balance Issues?
Balance issues can manifest as dizziness, lightheadedness, or difficulty maintaining stability. These challenges can disrupt your ability to walk, stand, or climb stairs, often reducing independence and heightening fall risk. Balance problems may stem from the natural aging process, but they are frequently caused by cervical spine or other spinal conditions, which can compromise coordination and stability during daily activities.
What Causes Balance Issues?
Spinal health plays a significant role in maintaining balance. The nerves along the spine send vital signals to the rest of the body, and any disruption can cause discomfort and interfere with movement. Common spine-related causes of balance issues include:
- Neck (cervical spine) injuries, Mid-back (thoracic spine) injuries: can lead to unsteadiness and coordination difficulties. These conditions can impinge on nerves or the spinal cord, causing pain, limited movement, weakness, and balance issues.
- Low back (lumbar spine): Compressed nerves in these areas can affect motor control, leading to sensations of instability or weakness.
Symptoms of Balance Issues
Balance issues may present with the following symptoms:
- Difficulty standing or walking steadily
- Frequent falls or fear of falling
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Clumsiness
- Loss of balance or unsteadiness
- Change in coordination
How are Balance Issues Diagnosed?
In order to diagnose your balance issues, one of our physicians at SpineCare of NY will examine your spine and joints to check for any signs of injury. Taking a full medical and family history will help determine any conditions that may be the cause of your balance issues. Imaging tests such as X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans may be ordered to get a better look at your vertebrae and discs, as well as your neck.
How to Treat Balance Issues
The best treatment for your balance issues will depend on what is causing them. Whether you are experiencing unsteadiness on your feet due to an injury or other medical condition, our physicians work closely with a team of non-surgical physicians to come up with the most effective and least invasive treatment option available. In many cases, this can mean combining highly researched and up-to-date surgeries with non-invasive treatments like physical therapy.
Schedule a Consultation
Our physicians at SpineCare of NY are world-renowned for their achievements in research and surgical expertise. We are affiliated with the number one ranked orthopedic hospital in the United States, Hospital for Special Surgery, ensuring you receive expert care through every step of your journey to improved spine health. To schedule a consultation at SpineCare of NY, head to our website to fill out an online contact form today.
SpineCare of NY is located at 523 East 72nd Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10021.
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