Background
For a healthy individual, a sense of balance is often taken for granted. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) reported in 2009 that approximately 8 million Americans suffer from a chronic balance disorder. Although rehabilitation therapies, medications, and surgeries are sometimes used to combat vestibular system deficiencies, these counter measures do not always work for every patient, especially if the patient’s imbalance issues are simply due to old age.
Proper balance is required to maintain one’s center of gravity through anatomical adjustments, to accurately perceive gravitational orientation and direction, to determine body position, movement and acceleration, and to perform daily activities. Numerous sensorimotor systems are integrated to provide a sense of balance. Dysfunction in one of these systems or in their integration can lead to balance impairment.
Proper balance is required to maintain one’s center of gravity through anatomical adjustments, to accurately perceive gravitational orientation and direction, to determine body position, movement and acceleration, and to perform daily activities. Numerous sensorimotor systems are integrated to provide a sense of balance. Dysfunction in one of these systems or in their integration can lead to balance impairment.