Balance training and therapy are crucial for managing various health conditions, including neurological disorders, musculoskeletal issues, cardiovascular conditions, ageing-related concerns, functional disorders, chronic pain conditions, and paediatric developmental disorders, to restore coordination and improve overall functioning |File Photo
Photo: Vipin Chandran
| Photo Credit: VIPIN CHANDRAN
Balance rehabilitation, often referred to as Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT), plays a crucial role in improving body functioning and stability. This therapy involves exercises that strengthen posture, core stability, and coordination, helping to reduce fall-related injuries, aid stroke recovery, and improve mobility in older adults. Early detection of health issues and tailored therapy plans including balance rehabilitation, can help prevent health complications and enhance overall well-being, say experts. However, in India, this is still an under-researched area that needs awareness both amongst the public and healthcare professionals, they say.
Where does balance therapy come in?
Balance therapy has applications in a number of areas, including in cardiac, neurological and geriatric care. For instance, incorporating balance training into preventive healthcare and rehabilitation programmes could significantly improving outcomes for patients who are at risk for cardiovascular disease, say doctors. This apart, it has shown to be beneficial for diabetes and mental health too. “Cardiovascular conditions and diabetes-related neuropathy both benefit from balance therapy. With ageing, concerns like sarcopenia (a progressive muscle disorder) and cognitive decline are also on the rise and the need for proactive balance training is growing,” says Mazhan Khan S., head physiotherapist at Fortis Hospital in Bengaluru. “Even functional disorders, chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia, and paediatric developmental disorders require structured interventions to improve mobility and independence,” he adds.
Another area that balance therapy can play a role is in the prevention of falls, especially among senior citizens. Falls remain a major public health concern: the World Health Organization (WHO) records 37.3 million falls each year that require medical attention, leading to over 38 million disability-adjusted life years lost. This burden surpasses that of transport injuries, drowning, and burns.
Mr. Khan explains that balance training plays an essential role in managing health conditions that affect stability, coordination, and mobility. This includes neurological disorders such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and vestibular disorders that can impair balance, while musculoskeletal issues like arthritis, post-surgical recovery, and sports injuries also require rehabilitation to restore coordination.
When do you need balance therapy?
While the benefits of balance therapy are well-established, the problem lies in most people not recognising, or not taking seriously, early symptoms that could signal a chronic health condition. For instance, doctors say, dizziness, a largely recognised balance impairment symptom, is often dismissed as a minor issue, but it can be an early indicator of an underlying health problem. Persistent dizziness can signal vestibular disorders, neurological issues, cardiovascular conditions, or even cognitive decline. Without timely intervention, these conditions can lead to more severe complications, including falls and reduced mobility.
According to Jejoe Karankumar, Medical Director at Abbott India, a global healthcare company, contrary to popular belief, dizziness is not always linked to vertigo. Vertigo is a vestibular dysfunction characterised by a sensation of movement, often a spinning or swaying feeling, even when you or your surroundings are still.
Vertigo, he says affects approximately 70 million Indians. A survey conducted by Abbott revealed that 34 per cent of individuals with vertigo cancelled important events and 23 per cent reported reduced quality time with their families due to the condition. Common triggers include anxiety or stress (39 per cent), travelling (34 per cent), and weather changes (30 per cent), with symptoms such as headaches (52 per cent), double vision (43 per cent), and blackout feelings (40 per cent).
“There is a misconception that vertigo only affects the elderly or is untreatable. Management options such as vestibular rehabilitation therapy, medications, and surgical interventions can help significantly in these cases,” says Dr. Karankumar.”
He explains that different health risks require different types of care. He stresses that this is why early detection is the most critical factor in preventing long-term complications. “Neurological conditions require specialised rehabilitation techniques focusing on neural plasticity and motor relearning, while musculoskeletal injuries demand a combination of strength training and physiotherapy,” he says. “Cardiovascular patients benefit from targeted exercises to enhance circulation and endurance, whereas older adults require structured fall prevention programmes tailored to their mobility levels. Functional disorders and developmental conditions need individualised therapeutic approaches to improve coordination and daily functioning.”
Additionally, Murugan Madhavan, head of physical activity and physiotherapy at Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre in Chennai, says, “Thorough diagnosis determines the right treatment plan. Misdiagnosis or late detection can lead to long-term complications.”
Balance therapy for recovery and caregiving
Balance therapy also plays a vital role in post-treatment care. It is particularly crucial for people living with dementia and and stroke survivors. Alok Kulkarni, senior consultant psychiatrist at Manas Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, points out that even caregiving for dementia patients significantly affects the mental health of both patients and family members.
“Fifty per cent of caregivers experience moderate to severe stress, with 25 per cent meeting criteria for clinical depression,” he says. “Balance therapy and training can help caregivers manage stress and anxiety while also improving the overall physical and mental well-being of patients.”
Need for recognition
According to experts, despite its importance, India’s lack of a specific programme or recognition for balance impairment and related health risks highlights the need for more research on the therapy’s benefits for overall health and functioning. Despite a huge and growing burden of non-communicable disease that account for about 60% of all deaths in the country, India’s National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases & Stroke (NPCDCS) does not specifically recognise balance impairment as a risk factor. This gap, underscore experts, needs to be plugged with more awareness and incorporating balance therapy into primary health care.
Published – March 25, 2025 09:18 pm IST