Orlando’s Clinic for
BALANCE PHYSICAL THERAPY
You shouldn’t have to live life with a constant fear of falling. Our proven treatment solutions will get you stable on your feet again so that you can get back to enjoying all of your favorite activities with loved ones. Don’t let imbalance keep you from doing what you love when a solution is just a few sessions away. Contact our balance experts to get started or read more on this page.
Orlando’s Clinic for
BALANCE PHYSICAL THERAPY
You shouldn’t have to live life with a constant fear of falling. Our proven treatment solutions will get you stable on your feet again so that you can get back to enjoying all of your favorite activities with loved ones. Don’t let imbalance keep you from doing what you love when a solution is just a few sessions away. Contact our balance experts to get started or read more on this page.
Check out our latest education video!
Board-Certified
MEET DR. TARA TOBIAS
Dr. Tara Tobias is a board-certified neurologic physical therapy specialist. With 15+ years of experience, Tara has practiced in every setting including acute care, inpatient rehabilitation and outpatient centers that specialize in a variety of neurologic and balance conditions. Along with this, she has also completed numerous post-graduate courses focusing on the study of neuroplasticity (how the brain learns new skills and forms new connections), motor recovery, and the treatment of balance disorders.
Understanding Balance Problems
A balance problem is not a diagnosis in itself but is usually the result of some other underlying diagnosis. It is critical to understand how the systems of the body work together to maintain balance and prevent falls. Second, it is important to know what to do when one (or several) components of this system are not functioning properly.
Understanding Balance Problems
A balance problem is not a diagnosis in itself but is usually the result of some other underlying diagnosis. It is critical to understand how the systems of the body work together to maintain balance and prevent falls. Second, it is important to know what to do when one (or several) components of this system are not functioning properly.
Many factors can cause problems in your balance system. A thorough evaluation by a physical therapy can help to identify systems that are not working properly and to provide the best treatment for YOUR balance problems.
How We Handle
Balance Treatments
We understand the importance of balance and how it can affect your life. That’s why our treatment approach focuses on getting you back to being comfortable on your feet as quickly as possible. We do this with a serious focus on getting the most work done during your sessions. You’ll be seen exclusively by a board-certified specialist, never double booked, and we’ll never ask you to do unhelpful, monotonous exercises so that we can catch up on paperwork. Getting you back to a comfortable life is our one and only focus.
- One-on-One Patient Care
- Only Board Certified Specialists
- Less Paperwork – More Treatment
How We Handle
Balance Treatments
We understand the importance of balance and how it can affect your life. That’s why our treatment approach focuses on getting you back to being comfortable on your feet as quickly as possible. We do this with a serious focus on getting the most work done during your sessions. You’ll be seen exclusively by a board-certified specialist, never double booked, and we’ll never ask you to do unhelpful, monotonous exercises so that we can catch up on paperwork. Getting you back to a comfortable life is our one and only focus.
- One-on-One Patient Care
- Only Board Certified Specialists
- Less Paperwork – More Treatment
What Can Cause a Balance Problem?
Balance disorders occur when any part of the motor, sensory, or integration center in the brain is damaged. Many factors can cause problems in your balance system. A thorough evaluation by a physical therapist can help to identify systems that are not working properly and to provide the best treatment for YOUR balance problems.
Brain Lesions
Lesions in the brain and spinal cord occur with certain neurologic conditions (multiple sclerosis, devics disease, etc). Depending on the location of the lesions, can determine the severity of the balance impairment.
Medication
Some medications can cause a condition called orthostatic hypotension, a drop in blood pressure when moving from sitting to standing. This sudden drop in blood pressure can cause dizziness, visual disturbance, and/or lightheadedness which may lead to balance issues.
Peripheral Nerve Injury
Your peripheral nerves are fragile and easily damaged. If this damage occurs, it affects the communication to your muscles and can cause balance issues.
Peripheral Neuropathy
Sensory information about the surface underneath our feet or a change in the surface either does not get to the brain or is delayed and therefore the brain’s ability to coordinate a motor response is either delayed or does not occur at all.
Vestibular Impairments
The inner ear has a special sensory organ which detects a change in head position. With damage to this organ cause our brain to receive inaccurate information which causes an inaccurate balance response.
Aging
Changes can occur in this system due to the normal aging process. Complicating factors that are part of the normal aging process include changes in our vision, sensation, hearing, and reaction time.
Our Balance Treatment Approaches
Vestibular Rehabilitation
The cause of the balance problem may be due to a problem with the vestibular system (complex system in the inner ear that responds to head and eye movement to maintain balance). This may causes dizzyness, and the sensation that the room is spinning when the head moves in and out of certain positions. A physical therapist can perform specific repositioning maneuvers to treat the condition.
Habituation Exercises
A physical therapist can identify what part of the complex balance system is not functioning properly. Once these areas are identified, the therapist will incorporate specific combinations of head and eye movements to improve reaction time when a loss of balance occurs and to teach your body how to respond appropriately. The goal is that the body will become better at responding in a timely and appropriate manner to prevent a fall.
Static and Dynamic Balance Exercises
This involves static and dynamic standing in various conditions such as uneven and unfamiliar surfaces. This strengthens the balance and vestibular centers in the brain to work better. At Orlando Neuro Therapy, we take it one step further by developing a treatment plan that will incorporate activities and situations that are different and unique to each person. This may include going to the golf course, bowling ally, grocery store or busy mall where your life happens.
Stretching and Strengthening Exercises
Impaired balance can also be the result of weak muscles, poor muscle flexibility, or generalized de-conditioning. These issues can also be addressed with strengthening and stretching the involved muscles. We can handle this for you through tested exercises and training sessions at your own pace.
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HEAR FROM OUR PATIENTS
I have learned so much about my balance, diabetic neuropathy exercises while being treated for frozen shoulder which is feeling so much better after only two sessions. Tara is PT at its best And i think everyone should have an evaluation. You will learn things you never thought about. I’ve learned so much about my body little tricks, little non-costly things I can do to keep my body a bit stronger to avoid falls
“Tara is Awesome! She has helped my Mother stand and walk with assistance after having a major stroke last year. She is the most dedicated person in her profession. She is determined to see that her patients achieve the most they can and continue to strive to meet their goals. She has never given up hope for Mom and we don’t know what we would have done if we had not been introduced to her. Thank you so much Tara for your continued enthusiasm and support!”
My daughter suffered a severe hemorrhagic stroke in February, 2016. She received 6 weeks of inpatient therapy, as well as months of outpatient therapy. She, unfortunately, suffered several falls and broken bones, and also developed severe spasticity of the left foot/ankle. I found Tara on the website around December of 2017 and called her about my daughter. She evaluated her and immediately began a vigorous treatment plan. We, at this time, were becoming quite discouraged and looking for hope. Now, just 6 months latter, the progress my daughter has made is beyond anything we could have imagined at the time we met Tara. Every session Tara works extremely hard, is focused and uses a great bedside manner to elicit results from her patient. She shares the joys of her patient and their family when improvements are made, and she shows great pride in her skills. Tara is the best physical therapist we have had the privilege of working with. When we began with Tara, my daughter was confined to a wheelchair, she now is able to get that left foot flat and walk with assistance. Tara also helped us secure a new brace that actually works. Also, my daughter loves going to her therapy. sessions!
“Tara is a great physical therapist. She thinks outside the box and is always inventing new ways to challenge my son and keep him progressing. She goes way above and beyond. We have been in many physical therapy environments over the years, and Tara has had the greatest impact on my son’s recovery. She has pushed him to new limits. He continues to improve and Tara continues to pour hope into him. He loves working with her and loves seeing the functional improvements in his life. We are so thankful for Tara’s practice and all she does for her patients”
Getting Started is EASY!
No Insurance pre-authorization and you do not need a referral from a doctor
Contact us to start living a more confident, pain-free LIFE!
Call now to speak directly to a therapist
(407) 900-0841