Team University of Dayton Engineering & Safety Lab No. 24: Interview with a Physical Therapist

In the field of prosthetics, balance is crucial to rehabilitation after a person undergoes an amputation. Melanie Welch, a licensed physical therapist at Dayton Artificial Limb, was interviewed about the significance of balance therapy.


The first step of balance therapy is finding out why an individual has poor balance. Balance is dependent on multiple factors including posture, strength, range of motion, sensory abilities, an individual’s reaction abilities, and vestibular effects. The physical therapist tests the person’s “ability to balance sitting, standing, and experiencing external forces,” says Welch. In these tests, a therapist looks for balance reactions in an individual’s ankles and hips, specifically. In her patients, poor balance often results from stiffness or weakness.

After determining the issue causing instability, the next step is to address the issue. Strength and mobility exercises are some of the most common tools for improving an individual’s balance. In some cases, a patient is instructed on the use of assistive devices which help them maintain a stable base of support. A stable base of support is an important factor in stability; a wide, shoulder-width stance is more stable than standing with the feet together. Balance is affected by many things, and being able to influence those factors using techniques such as balance therapy, allows a person to walk with good stability.