Understanding Balance Disorders: Causes and Treatments

A woman holds her hand to her forehead and leans against a wall for balance, appearing dizzy or disoriented. The image has a motion-blur effect to simulate the feeling of vertigo.

Maintaining your balance is required for any movement. Therefore, struggling with a balance disorder can make even the simplest tasks a challenge. Luckily, there are treatments available to assist with whatever is causing your balance disorder. 

Keep reading to learn more about balance disorders, what causes them, and what treatments are available to you.

Contact Us Today To Begin Your Personalized Treatment Plan

What Is a Balance Disorder? 

According to the Cleveland Clinic, a balance disorder is when a medical problem causes you to feel unsteady and/or dizzy. The body maintains balance for movement, standing, and walking by various systems throughout the body communicating with each other. 

Your eyes tell your brain where you are in a space, your vestibular system (inner ear) senses gravity and motion, and your muscles, joints, and skin tell your brain how you’re moving, so it knows when to correct it to avoid falling.

Balance disorder symptoms​ may include one or more of the following:

  • Dizziness
  • Vertigo (feeling as if the room is spinning or moving, although you’re still)
  • Feeling faint or lightheaded
  • Unsteadiness when walking
  • Blurred vision (especially when moving) 

What Causes Balance Disorders?

A loss of balance can be caused by any of the multiple systems of the body that control balance being “off” or injured in some way. Therefore, balance disorder causes​ can include:

Issues With the Inner Ear

The inner ear plays a huge role in balance. Even a minor issue, such as minor swelling or pressure build-up in the ear, can cause dizziness or vertigo.

Neurological Causes

Neurological illnesses such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s disease may cause balance issues. An injury to the brain, such as a concussion or a traumatic brain injury (TMI), can also cause issues with balance.

Age-Related Changes

Health issues that affect balance become more common as you age, such as heart disease or issues with blood pressure.

Spinal Misalignment, Muscular Weakness, or Poor Posture

The spine being unaligned, the muscles becoming too weak, or prolonged poor posture can all affect balance. In fact, a 2023 article published by Harvard Health Publishing reported that bad posture can lead to trouble with balance.

When Injury Leads To Balance Problems

According to the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, somewhere between 30 to 65% of people who have experienced a traumatic brain injury (TBI) experience issues with their balance during recovery. 

Traumatic injuries that result from a car accident, slip and fall, or other types of injuries can result in damage to one or more of the body’s systems required to maintain proper balance.  

Common Conditions That Lead To Balance Issues After an Injury

  • Vestibular damage: Any damage to the intricate organs within the inner ear can cause issues with balance.
  • Post-concussion syndrome (PCS): When concussion symptoms last for longer than three months after the initial injury, patients can experience headache, vertigo, dizziness, unsteadiness, etc., for an extended period of time. Treatment for PCS can help manage symptoms and enhance recovery.
  • Whiplash-related vertigo: Sometimes referred to as “cervical vertigo,” whiplash-related vertigo occurs when your cervical spine (the part of your spine in your neck) becomes inflamed due to certain neck conditions or trauma (such as a head injury or whiplash). Vertigo usually makes patients feel dizzy, but unlike the spinning sensation associated with typical vertigo, cervical vertigo is more prone to making patients feel as if they are floating. 
  • Spinal misalignment: Any accident that causes misalignment to the spine has the potential to cause issues with balance.
  • Traumatic brain injury: Traumatic brain injuries can lead to various degrees of balance issues, depending on the severity of the accident.

Symptoms of Injuries That Led to a Balance Disorder Can Include One or More of the Following

  • Dizziness
  • Unsteadiness
  • Lightheadedness
  • Struggling to walk straight
  • Blurred vision when moving
  • Disorientation 

The Risks of Ignoring Balance Issues

Trying to go without treatment for a balance disorder can be dangerous. According to the Model Systems Translation Center, patients who have suffered a traumatic brain injury are at a high risk of falls. Not only this, but if you avoid treating your balance issue, you will also have a higher risk of:

  • Injuring yourself again — and possibly worse
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Psychogenic dizziness (when a fear of falling causes you to feel an increased unsteadiness)
  • A lower quality of life

What Does Balance Disorder Treatment​ Look Like?

According to the Mayo Clinic, treatment for a balance disorder largely depends on the specific cause of your loss of balance. 

Balance disorder treatment may include one or more of the following:

  • Vestibular rehabilitation: This is when a physical therapist designs exercises for you to compensate for the loss of balance and assist with regaining full balance. Your physical therapist will also assist you in preventing falls while you’re healing.
  • Positioning procedures: This is when a physical therapist performs a special procedure by moving your head in a specific way to move particles in your inner ear to a different position to treat vertigo.
  • Changes to your lifestyle: Certain diets may be recommended if your balance issue is caused by migraines or blood pressure issues. If issues with your blood pressure are causing the issue, compression socks and increased fluids will also be recommended. 
  • Medication: You may be prescribed medication to curb the dizziness and/or prevent nausea.
  • Surgery: In severe cases, surgery for whatever is causing the issue may be necessary.

How Can Physical Therapy and Chiropractic Services Help? 

ZK Physical Therapy & Chiropractic (ZKORC) treats balance issues by creating a customized treatment plan specific to the patient’s injury and symptoms. Physical therapy for balance disorders​ is done by assessing the individual to find the root cause of the problem. Then, a unique balance training and exercise plan is made that will target your specific injury and symptoms. 

Our Approach to Post-Injury Recovery

Whether you’re struggling with vertigo after a car accident​ or require physical therapy for personal injury cases, ZK Physical Therapy & Chiropractic (ZKORC) is here to help. 

We believe in a patient-centered approach to healing that focuses on:

  • Compassion and support after a traumatic event.
  • Treatments that focus on restoring confidence, function, and mobility.
  • Individualized care plans that encourage patients to progress at their own pace.
  • Respect for the patient’s individual goals.

What To Do Next

If you’re struggling with balance disorder symptoms, consider booking a consultation or a balance assessment with ZK Physical Therapy & Chiropractic (ZKORC) in Las Vegas. You don’t have to struggle with the unsteadiness and dizziness that can come after an injury. Get the help you need today. Check out what insurance we accept and our frequently asked questions, and get ready to start feeling better. 

Struggling with a balance disorder after an injury can be life-altering. Luckily, by seeking treatment at ZK Physical Therapy & Chiropractic (ZKORC) in Las Vegas, Nevada, you can receive the personalized and supportive care you deserve.

Contact Us Today to Begin Your Personalized Treatment Plan

Balance Problems. (2020).

Balance Problems. (2025).

Balance Problems After Traumatic Brain Injury. (2021).

Cervical Vertigo. (2022).

Peterson, M. (2015). Balance Problems After Traumatic Brain Injury.

Post-Concussion Syndrome. (2023).

3 surprising risks of poor posture. (2023).