ABSTRACT:

The ability to balance is a prerequisite to sitting, standing, and walking and requires complicated physiological coordination. The disruption of any components of the equilibrioceptive, proprioceptive, or visual systems can significantly handicap balance, such as in some cases of cerebral palsy, spina bifida, arthrogryposis, cystic fibrosis, and many other diseases and injuries. Unfortunately, in patients with damaged brain function the disorder at the root of the problem cannot typically be treated but, with physical therapy and braces or other aids, the balance handicap may be overcome.