How Good Is Your Balance?
By Dr. Jo McFadgen, Chiropractor
Have you ever stopped to think about your balance?
Most of us take it for granted, until one day we feel dizzy getting out of bed, lose our footing walking on uneven ground, or suddenly feel like the room is spinning. Balance is something we rely on every single day, yet it’s one of the most overlooked aspects of our health.
As a chiropractor of over 20 years, I’ve helped many people improve their balance, coordination and confidence in movement. What many people don’t know is that I’ve also experienced vertigo and Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD) myself. I know firsthand how unsettling it can be when your brain no longer trusts the information it’s receiving from your body.
The good news? In many cases, balance can be improved.
What is Balance?
Balance is much more than simply standing on one leg. Your brain constantly receives information from three important systems:
- Your vestibular system (located in your inner ears) tells your brain where your head is in space and whether you’re moving.
- Your vision provides information about your surroundings and your body’s position.
- Your proprioceptive system consists of thousands of sensors in your muscles, joints and ligaments that tell your brain exactly where each part of your body is without you having to look.
Your brain and nervous system combine all of this information in a fraction of a second to keep you upright, coordinated and stable. When one of these systems isn’t working well, or they stop communicating effectively, dizziness, unsteadiness and poor balance can occur.
Understanding Your Vestibular System:
Your vestibular system is a remarkable set of tiny structures deep inside your inner ear.
These sensors detect movement, acceleration and changes in head position. Every time you turn your head, bend over, walk, or even move your eyes, your vestibular system sends rapid messages to your brain so your eyes stay focused and your body stays balanced.
Think of it as your body's internal GPS.
When it functions well, you hardly notice it. When it doesn't, everyday life can suddenly become very challenging.
What Can Affect Your Balance?
There are many reasons someone may experience dizziness or poor balance. Some of the more common causes include:
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
BPPV occurs when tiny calcium crystals inside the inner ear become displaced. Certain head movements can trigger short bursts of spinning dizziness. Fortunately, this condition often responds very well to specific repositioning manoeuvres performed by trained practitioners.
Vertigo
Vertigo isn’t a diagnosis itself—it’s the sensation that you or your surroundings are moving when they’re not. It can arise from several different conditions affecting the inner ear or nervous system.
Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD)
PPPD is a condition where the brain remains overly sensitive after an episode of dizziness or vertigo. Even though the original problem may have settled, the brain continues to perceive movement differently, leading to persistent dizziness, rocking sensations and visual sensitivity. Recovery often involves vestibular rehabilitation and gradually retraining the brain’s balance systems.
Blood Pressure Changes
Standing up quickly can cause a temporary drop in blood pressure (known as orthostatic hypotension), making you feel light-headed or unsteady.
Hormonal Changes
Hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy, menopause and other stages of life can influence blood pressure, fluid balance and even inner ear function, contributing to dizziness in some people.
Ageing
As we age, our vision, vestibular function, muscle strength and proprioception naturally decline. The encouraging news is that these systems can often be trained and improved at any age.
Poor Proprioception
After injuries, chronic pain or joint problems, the body’s position sensors don’t always send clear information to the brain. This can affect coordination and balance without us even realising it.
Lack of Movement
Our balance system works on the principle of “use it or lose it.”
If we spend long periods sitting, avoid uneven surfaces or stop challenging our balance, the nervous system gradually becomes less efficient at maintaining stability.
Head Trauma or Surgery
Concussion, head injuries and some surgical procedures can temporarily or permanently affect vestibular function, often requiring specific rehabilitation to help the brain recalibrate.
Where Can Chiropractic Help?
Many people are surprised to learn that gentle chiropractic care may play a supportive role in improving balance.
The neck contains an incredibly high number of proprioceptors—special sensory receptors that constantly send information to the brain about the position of your head. If the joints and muscles of the neck become stiff, injured or dysfunctional, those messages may become less accurate, potentially contributing to dizziness, poor posture or feelings of imbalance.
Gentle chiropractic care aims to restore normal movement to the spine and improve the quality of information travelling through the nervous system. By helping the neck move more freely and reducing muscular tension, we can support clearer communication between the body and the brain.
For people experiencing vestibular disorders, chiropractic is rarely a stand-alone treatment. Instead, it often works best alongside vestibular rehabilitation exercises, medical assessment where appropriate, and a tailored exercise program.
Every patient is different, which is why a thorough assessment is essential before beginning treatment.
Five Easy Ways to Improve Your Balance Every Day
Improving balance doesn’t always require fancy equipment. Small, consistent habits can make a significant difference.
Stand on One Leg
While brushing your teeth or waiting for the kettle to boil, practise standing on one leg for 20–30 seconds before changing sides.
To make it harder, gently turn your head from side to side or close your eyes (only if it’s safe to do so).
Walk on Different Surfaces
Grass, sand, bush tracks and uneven paths encourage your brain to process more sensory information than perfectly flat footpaths.
This helps strengthen proprioception and balance over time.
Keep Your Neck Moving
Gentle neck mobility exercises can help maintain healthy movement and provide accurate sensory input to the brain.
If neck movement causes dizziness or pain, it’s important to seek professional assessment before continuing.
Challenge Your Vestibular System
Simple head-turning exercises while walking, following moving objects with your eyes, or specific vestibular rehabilitation exercises prescribed by your practitioner can help retrain your brain to process movement more effectively.
Keep Moving
One of the best things you can do is simply move regularly.
Walking, dancing, swimming, tai chi, yoga and strength training all challenge different parts of your balance system and help keep the brain adaptable throughout life.
My Personal Experience
Having lived through vertigo and PPPD myself, I understand how frustrating and even frightening dizziness can be.
Simple things like walking through a shopping centre, turning quickly or driving can suddenly become overwhelming.
Recovery isn’t always immediate, but our brains have an incredible ability to adapt.
With the right assessment, appropriate treatment, vestibular rehabilitation, movement and patience, many people can make significant improvements and regain confidence in their daily lives.
Final Thoughts
Balance isn’t just about avoiding falls—it’s a reflection of how well your brain, nervous system, eyes, inner ears and body are communicating.
Whether you’re noticing occasional dizziness, feeling less steady than you used to, or recovering after vertigo, there is often far more that can be done than people realise.
At Central Coast Spinal Care Clinic in West Gosford, I take the time to understand the whole picture. Through gentle chiropractic care, assessment of your nervous system and personalised rehabilitation strategies, we’ll work together to help your body move with greater confidence, stability and ease.
If you’ve been feeling dizzy, unsteady or simply not yourself, don’t ignore it. Early assessment can make all the difference, and together we can determine the most appropriate path towards getting your balance back.
Dr. Joanna McFadgen
Hi, I’m Dr. Johanna McFadgen, a chiropractor with over 18 years of experience, passionate about providing patient-centred, low-force chiropractic care. I have a special interest in treating kids, families, and seniors, with a focus on paediatrics, pregnancy, peri-menopause, menopause, and geriatric care. I use gentle techniques such as Activator, Sacro-Occipital Technique (SOT), Webster’s Technique, and acupuncture, always tailoring my care to meet each patient’s unique needs. With a holistic, empathetic approach, I’m committed to helping patients of all ages feel their best and achieve long-term wellness.
