Balance Therapy Helps Seniors Avoid Falls

Ohio clinic helps patients regain stability and confidence.

Balance issues can be scary, especially for older adults. But at Fyzical Therapy and Balance Center in Mentor, Ohio, people are finding ways to improve their stability and reduce their risk of falling, using specialized exercises and equipment to regain lost balance.

Innovative Approach to Balance

At the Fyzical Therapy and Balance Center, patients practice standing on one foot, often using a therapeutic harness suspended from the ceiling. **Aaron Cook**, a physical therapist and the owner of the Mentor center, emphasizes the importance of challenging balance safely.

Falls are a growing danger for older Americans. A CDC report reveals that each year, millions of older people—one in four—fall, but less than half tell their doctor. Falls can lead to moderate to severe injuries, and increase the risk of early death.

The Danger of Falls

Falls can have serious consequences, especially for the elderly. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports a significant increase in deaths from unintentional falls among older Americans. Death rates have surged by over 75% for those aged 75 to 84, and have more than doubled for individuals aged 85 and older.

In addition to fatalities, falls frequently lead to head injuries or broken bones, resulting in long-term disability and other health issues.

Often, doctors recommend canes or walkers after a fall; however, **Cook** aims to help patients move without these aids unless absolutely necessary, because these devices can weaken muscles, promote a sedentary lifestyle, and raise the risk of further falls and related health problems.

**Cook** stated, “I don’t love it when people go to their doctor (after a fall), and the doctor’s solution is, just use a walker for the rest of your life. We like to take away all of those things that people used to rely on, and we say, what can you do all naturally? What can you do by yourself?”

He believes simple exercises for balance are more effective and affordable than specialized shoes.

Therapy and Causes of Imbalance

Therapy sessions at Fyzical begin with an evaluation to determine the underlying causes of a patient’s balance and mobility issues. **Cook** explains that “There’s an endless number of disorders that can contribute to losing your balance and falling…We say: ‘Why is this a challenge for you, and what can you do to improve that?’”

One common cause of falls is diabetic neuropathy, which results in a loss of sensation in the feet. Musculoskeletal and neurological problems, such as hip arthritis, can also make walking difficult. Additionally, inner ear or vestibular disorders can cause individuals to feel dizzy or as if they are spinning, leading to a loss of balance.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is another condition that disrupts balance, triggered by displaced crystals in the inner ear, causing dizziness.

Balance therapy can be effective for these and other conditions when traditional therapy fails.

Success Stories

**Kim Stenger**, a 46-year-old client from Kirtland, found success at Fyzical after giving up on regular physical therapy. After two years of workouts, she has gained endurance and strength. **Stenger**, who uses a wheelchair, can now use a walker to navigate her driveway, get in and out of bed independently, and stand at the sink, thanks to leg-strengthening exercises.

**Stenger** said, “When I heard that the clinic specifically focused on neurological conditions and how that really relates to balance and movement, I was very intrigued. I have made more progress in my own physical endurance and my own physical fitness at Fyzical than I probably ever have.”

**Gail Stropkey**, 76, of Painesville Township, another Fyzical client, has a progressive disorder causing muscle weakness, and aims to maintain her strength. She appreciates the supportive environment at Fyzical: “You feel like they get to know you as a person,” she said.

**Cook** clarified that, while he generally minimizes reliance on walkers, **Stropkey** and **Stenger** require them due to their severe neurological conditions.

**Cook** states, “Our goal is always to preserve function and autonomy to the greatest extent possible. For some patients, that means helping them transition away from assistive devices; for others, it means optimizing their use to keep them active and engaged in life.”

A Passion for Balance

**Cook** developed his passion for preventing falls in the elderly while working as a physical therapist in Las Vegas. He often advocated for physical therapy over walkers.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, he and his wife returned to the Cleveland area, where they had grown up, and he decided to specialize in balance issues by opening a Fyzical franchise.

Other local healthcare providers such as MetroHealth System, University Hospitals and the Cleveland Clinic also offer programs for balance and inner ear issues.

According to **Cook**, about half of his patients are referred by doctors, while the other half seek help independently. Ohio’s Direct Access law allows patients to see a physical therapist without a referral.

Typically, patients attend balance therapy twice weekly for two months, although those with severe strokes or Parkinson’s may require six months to a year of therapy. Most private insurance plans cover this type of physical therapy, but patients can also pay $100 per visit.

Everyone can improve their balance and prevent falls by removing throw rugs, using night lights, and practicing standing on one foot with their eyes closed. **Cook** advises, “It’s helping rewire your brain and your vestibular system, and it’ll train and strengthen those specific muscles that you need in order to maintain balance.”