Balance problems can stem from a number of body systems —your muscles, bones, joints, vision, the balance organ in the inner ear, nerves, heart and blood vessels.  These body systems must work normally for you to have normal balance. When these systems aren’t functioning well, you can experience balance problems.   With loss of balance comes the possibly of a fall and further injury. Falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths and serious health problems in the United States and bad falls are a constant worry for seniors and others who have physical challenges.

Balance issues can be directly related to previous low back or lower extremity injury, certain medications, ear infection, a head injury, or anything else that affects the inner ear or brain. Problems that affect the skeletal or visual systems, such as arthritis or eye muscle imbalance, canal so cause balance disorders.  Hip and ankle weakness often leads to balance problems, as does poor posture.

Along with loss of balance, you may also feel dizzy, as if the room is spinning, unsteady, light-headed or that you’re going to fall down. The symptoms you feel can happen whether you’re lying down, sitting or standing.

Things that can affect your balance

• Injury to your trunk, low back, hip, knee, ankle or foot
• Infections of your ear
• Inner ear problems
• Head injury/concussion
• Poor blood circulation
• Certain medications
• Lowblood pressure
• High blood pressure
• Feelings of vertigo