Our Physical Therapists share the basics of balance.
Vestibular System:
The vestibular system is the sensory system that responds to motion or change of head position. It is noted to have an influence on muscle tone, posture, bilateral motor coordination, and balance. It is considered the unifying system of the brain and is responsible for regulation of arousal, speech and language development, motor planning, and concentration.
Characteristics of Dysfunction:
Hyper-responsive
___avoid or fearful of movement activities
___intolerant of unexpected movement
___dislikes playground equipment
___hesitant with stairs, curbs
___needs to have feet on the ground
___tends to be tense and rigid
Hypo-responsive
___seeks out movement experiences
___constantly moves or fidgits
___decreased attention/focus
___poor balance/clumsiness
___difficulty calming down ___irregular sleep patterns