Postural Imbalance in the Elderly: Main Aspects

Postural Imbalance is a condition affecting many elderly people each year, but what is postural imbalance, how is it caused and how can it be managed?

Postural Imbalance is when groups of muscles that would usually work together, or against each other to provide strength and movement, do not have the equal strength or flexibility (length) they once had. When muscles become under/over-active or shortened/lengthened they cause an imbalance. This imbalance of the muscles then alters your optimal posture when sitting, standing, or moving.

Postural imbalance can cause much discomfort and pain to those suffering. Seeking specialised therapy for poor posture is important to help prevent or manage postural imbalance. As postural imbalance tends to affect those in the later years of their life, Therapies on Thames offers specialised physiotherapy treatment plans for elderly patients in the comfort of their own home.

Why does postural imbalance commonly affect elderly people?

Postural imbalance commonly affects elderly people more than younger people due to age-related disease and illness, natural decrease in muscle mass density and sensorimotor function decrease as we get older.

Common causes of postural imbalance in the elderly:

• Parkinson’s Disease: Parkinson’s disease affects control of automatic activities, so posture changes may occur without the brain’s automatic reminders to stand up straight. These changes may include stooped or rounded shoulders, decreased low-back curve or forward lean of the head or whole body, making you look hunched over.
• Strokes: Strokes can cause substantial changes in postural alignment which causes stroke patients to suffer an imbalance between the left and right sides of their bodies. This makes stable posture difficult to maintain for elderly stroke patients, which can then cause postural imbalance.
• Diabetes: Diabetes in older people can cause muscle weakness and reactive balance control decline, putting older people at higher risk of falls and balance disturbances, which in turn can lead to postural imbalance.
• Vision Disorders/Disease: Balance and posture when walking or standing relies heavily on your vision. If an elderly person is suffering from vison problems such as cataracts, glaucoma or Age-related macular degeneration, they may unknowingly alter their posture to try and cope with their condition. The altering of posture can cause an imbalance in muscle grouping needed for strength and movement, which in turn can cause postural imbalance.

How can Postural Imbalance be managed in elderly people?

Many elderly people will be advised to partake in a course of specialised posture physiotherapy if they are experiencing pain or discomfort due to postural imbalance. Postural physiotherapy can help elderly people suffering with postural imbalance by providing advice and gentle exercises to help improve your posture.

Once properly assessed by one of our caring team of professional physiotherapists at Therapies on Thames, we will identify where any postural imbalances or problems occur, identify the causes and tailor a therapy plan to help manage the condition.

Can I have postural imbalance therapy at home?

If you or an elderly relative is suffering with postural imbalance  and would like therapy treatment to help manage the condition from the comfort of your own home, Therapies on Thames offer home visit physiotherapy visits that come to you – taking away the inconvenience and disruption of travelling to a clinic.

Our caring team of professional physiotherapists will travel to our elderly patients’ homes, care homes or nursing homes and deliver physiotherapy sessions in an environment where our clients feel safe, secure, and comfortable.

About Therapies on Thames

Therapies on Thames offers specialist rehabilitation services for the elderly across the UK. With a head office located in Berkshire, our team provides inpatient and home visit services for those who need physiotherapy or occupational therapy to help recover from an injury or ongoing health issues.

All physiotherapists at Therapies on Thames are registered Charted Physiotherapists with the CSP (Charted Society of Physiotherapy) and are registered with the Health & Care Professionals Council. For added peace of mind all our physiotherapist are Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checked.

A charted physiotherapist is a title that only a fully qualified physiotherapist registered with the CSP (Charted Society of Physiotherapy) can use. Charted Physiotherapists have undergone intense training and have a 3–4-year university degree or equivalent and are recognised by medical professions and the Department of Health.

If you or a loved one needs assistance in regaining or maintaining an active life, contact us today by completing our contact form.