United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Does anyone know if there is any thing possibly natural that one could take to help affect a balance issue. My balance has been really out of whack lately. I'll be walking along and then its like I'm swerving around. I know this seems to be an issue with people who have a brachial plexus injury. I'm just thinking mine is getting worse. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

Hi Rachel,
When my daughter was having balance issues, (she still does...) her therapist thought it was due to her low muscle tone in her stomach. After doing many sit-ups and stomach muscle exercises - anything we could think of to tone up her stomach - she had much better balance. It took a little while to see the results - but her balance was much better after her stomach muscles get stronger. You could maybe try doing sit-ups or crunches or anything that would strenthen up your stomach muscles.
Hope this helps,
Christy

I do pilates already which is a core strengthening routine. Although, I do not have abs of steel! hehe...I'll try that. Thanks for your help.

Rachel, there are many reasons why balance might become worse out of the blue. I suggest you talk to your doctor about it to see if there's a medical connection. Also, orthotics have really helped my daughter's balance issues. Can you have a PT evaluate your gait?

What is orthotics and what is a gait? Sorry, maybe that will help me figure it out.

Rachel,

Orthotics are inserts that go into your shoes that may help correct anamolies (sp?) that may be causing you to lose your balance - that is if you are losing your balance because there may be some structural issues (like toes not coming up when you walk, or ankles swaying out)

Gait issues means issues when you are walking - they can look at how you are walking and they can see what position your leg is in, are your toes being lifted up enough or are you touching the ground. They check the motion of your walking. The position of your knee to your ankles, etc.

But balance issues can also be caused by inner ear problems. And we already know that people with bpi have smaller ear canals / tubes, etc. Could you have too much fluid in there?

Also, I don't know if you go to a chiropractor, but if you don't already, consider checking that out to see how your head vs neck are doing in terms of posture and positioning. Upper cervical vertebrae (neck bones) may hold some link to balance.

There are really a lot of reasons why you could suddenly have more balance issues. We can use the general term that "it's the bpi", which is true - but then you have to find out exactly what part is the cause.

I hope this helps you figure it out.

Rachel,

Have you had your ears checked? Did you recently have a cold? Have your allergies been acting up? Inflammation of the inner ear can affect your balance severely.

I had a spell of major clutziness once in college (stumbling and falling down a LOT), and it turned out my inner ear was inflamed. There were no other symptoms! I took pseudophed and an antiobiotic for a week and VOILA... no more issues.

Kate

I think I am starting to catch a cold. Maybe that could be it.
I know when I fly I get vertigo really bad too.
Just makes ya feel like your falling apart! ahhh...
Thanks again everyone.