Abacoa & Alton Neighbors - June 2026

4 A B A C O A & A LT O N N E I G H B O R S | J U N E 2 0 2 6 EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR T he unexpected sensation of falling or dizziness can arise gradually or burst out of nowhere…a missed step, a sideways glance that triggers unsettling instability, the twist of an ankle, a trip on a sidewalk crack, or a quick grab for dropped keys or a grandchild’s favorite toy. All of a sudden, you feel woozy, disoriented, or find yourself falling toward the nearest chair or the hard ground. As people age, the ability to stay balanced, steady, and strong is necessary to perform and enjoy common activities. They include activities that are required of daily life, such as carrying groceries, climbing stairs, or bending to retrieve dropped objects, as well as those that are enjoyed as part of a satisfying life, including walking/ running, golfing, pickleball, swimming, biking, playing a favorite sport, and getting up and down off the floor with toddlers or grandchildren, and more. THERAPYHELPS, REGARDLESS OF CAUSE The good news is that balance and steadiness are skills that can be explored, reinforced, learned, and re-learned with the help of a trained exercise physiologist at the Cary Grossman Health & Wellness Center at Jupiter Medical Center. The goal of balance therapy, says Benjamin Klein, MSPT, TPI CGFI, Outpatient Rehabilitation Operations Manager, is regaining skills and movements that have been lost to health issues, medication side effects, or other types of injuries, such as a stroke or an accident. Balance therapy with an accredited exercise therapist supports patients progressively so they can: – By Sue MacDonald – Feeling Dizzy? Unsteady?Wobbly? For more information, call the Cary Grossman Health & Wellness Center at 561-263-5775. BALANCE THERAPY AT JUPITER MEDICAL CENTER CAN HELP Benjamin Klein, MSPT, TPI CGFI, Outpatient Rehabilitation Operations Manager • retain existing body stability • regain what has slowly been lost as part of the aging or disease process • gain/improve new skills to improve balance and stability at any age WHAT CAUSES BALANCE ISSUES? Balance problems can develop for a variety of reasons, according to the National Institute on Aging. Common causes include inner ear disorders or chronic ear infections, vertigo, thyroid or nerve disorders, heart disease, lack of physical exercise, medication side effects, aging-related loss of muscle mass, and other chronic conditions, such as diabetes-related nerve damage or vision impairment. Some balance problems are linked to the vestibular system – the tiny hairs (cilia) and fluid-filled canals within the ear that send movement- related signals directly to the brain to keep the body upright, balanced and in place without dizziness or spinning sensations. “Balance therapy is also a perfect example of the saying, ‘If you don’t use it, you lose it,’” Klein says. “Maintaining balance is more than how you stand or maneuver your world. It’s a key factor that defines a healthy, satisfying, active and engaging life and lifestyle at any age—and especially as you age at any age. ” At the Grossman Center, all class activities and movements can be modified to meet each participant’s individual needs, abilities and health challenges. The primary focus, says Klein, is on building lower-body strength, increasing endurance, and improving balance. “The good news is that balance therapy incorporates exercises into each patient’s routine to maintain existing skills and stability while strengthening and improving both,” Klein explains. TRYTHIS EXERCISE FORYOURSELF Eager to try simple exercises to maintain balance? Stand next to a wall or bar. Steady yourself by placing your palm against the wall or holding onto the bar. Slowly place one foot directly in front of the other, and then remove your hands from the wall/bar. Maintain that position for 15-30 seconds, always using the bar or wall to catch yourself immediately if you become wobbly or unstable. Then switch your feet by moving the back foot to the front, and repeat the 15-30-second stance. Balance classes at the Grossman Center are 1-2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. A class punch card is available - $96 for 8 classes, and participants can purchase an unlimited number of punch cards.