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Physiotherapy vocabulary · Neurological Rehabilitation

Balance

Meaning in physiotherapy, with examples

/ˈbæləns/nounCore term

In physiotherapy, balance means: The ability to keep the body steady and upright, whether standing still or moving, without falling.

In Turkish: denge

How it is used

Physiotherapists assess, challenge and improve balance, for example with single-leg standing or the Berg Balance Scale. Static balance means staying steady in one position; dynamic balance means staying steady while moving. Patients often say 'I feel unsteady on my feet'.

Example sentences

  1. Her balance is poor, so she should walk with a frame for now.

  2. Try standing on one leg while you brush your teeth to practise your balance.

Common collocations

  • balance training
  • poor balance
  • static balance
  • dynamic balance
  • lose your balance
  • fall preventionAssessment and treatment aimed at reducing the chance that a person, especially an older adult, will fall and get hurt.
  • proprioceptionThe body's sense of where its joints and limbs are and how they are moving, even with the eyes closed.
  • coordinationThe ability to use different parts of the body together smoothly and accurately, for example when reaching for a cup or walking in a straight line.
  • gaitThe way a person walks, including the pattern of their steps, their speed and balance, and how the legs and arms move.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Neurological Rehabilitation

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.