Better Balance

Better-Balance-1From the Summer 2011 Healthy Woman publication

Porter introduces NASA-inspired technology to improve balance

Life is a balancing act for active women, but having balance problems can make life more stressful, leading to embarrassing and even dangerous falls, according to Jennifer Zdobylak, Porter’s Outpatient Rehabilitation Manager. That’s why Porter recently added the Balance Master® assessment and rehabilitation system to the Portage Outpatient Rehabilitation facility.

Balance Master® uses the same technology NASA uses to measure equilibrium in its space shuttle crews. The system includes a highly sensitive forceplate connected to a computer, which measures a patient’s center of gravity as they perform various movements. “It helps us find a way to pinpoint where people’s deficits are. We can observe, but this gives us the exact data that we can then use to design a program to help each patient improve stability,” said Zdobylak. The training program often includes exercises on the Balance Master® itself as it gives instant biofeedback on a computer screen for patient and therapist to monitor.

Better-Balance-2Improving balance helps protect a person’s quality of life by preventing dangerous or debilitating falls,” said Zdobylak. “We recently saw a woman who appeared to be doing well. Yet when we looked at the results of her balance testing, it was shocking to see the degree that she was favoring one side of her body, putting her at a high risk for falling. She had just become accustomed to compensating for instability on one side. Using Balance Master she was able to work on finding her true center of gravity and regain stability,” said Zdobylak.

To begin working with Balance Master,® talk to your physician about getting a physical therapy prescription and call 219.764.1053 to schedule an appointment.


Visit the Porter Health System website
Valparaiso Campus
814 LaPorte Avenue
Valparaiso, IN 46383
Phone: 219-263-4600