Learn more at our free seminar on March 25th 6pm in Lacey, WA at Penrose PT.
Feeling unsteady during daily tasks like the grocery store, on uneven ground, or in the dark? Many people are told it’s “just getting older.” In reality, balance problems and dizziness usually have specific, measurable causes. When we can measure what’s going wrong, we can train it more precisely. It’s never too late to improve your balance. Don’t give up – we have too many stories of people improving their function and life in their 80s.
If you notice yourself grabbing onto furniture to walk around your home or you are finding that you don’t want to go to events due to your balance then it is definitely time to have it assessed with a plan of action.
At Penrose Physical Therapy, we are excited to announce a new technology in our clinic for balance! Our Upright Virtual Reality (VR) Balance Assessment is an advanced, non-invasive tool that measures how your eyes, inner ear, muscles, and joints work together to keep you steady. This 40-minute assessment includes a detailed explanation of your results and next steps to recovery. Upright VR systems at one point cost 200,000 and only hospitals had them available. Now they are available in clinics like ours for thousands vs hundreds of thousands; so no it is not the same as the oculus VR that many of you may be familiar with. The technology and sensors in the device makes the data very precise – measuring your sway and reactions. This gives us and you the information you need to have an accurate plan to improve your balance and all the systems affected.
Why Balance Problems Deserve a Closer Look
Falls are a major health concern in the United States, particularly for older adults. Many are related to vision changes, vestibular (inner ear) dysfunction, slowed reaction times, or reduced sensation in the feet and legs. Falls are often what lead to decreased mobility, long term pain, and assisted living. My grandmother had osteoporosis and had a silly fall and from that point on her life was forever changed as she lived in pain because the hardware required to stabilize her fracture was constantly moving in her soft osteoporotic bone. Her active life was no more due to this fall and soft bone. This is why I’m so passionate about strong bones, post menopausal women’s health, and balance.
Traditional balance tests—like standing on one leg or walking in a straight line—can be helpful, but they are often subjective. Upright VR allows us to gather objective, measurable data about how your body responds under different conditions.
Instead of labeling balance as “good” or “poor,” we can identify exactly which systems need support.
What Is an Upright VR Balance Assessment?
During the assessment, you stand upright on a stable surface wearing a virtual reality headset. You’ll complete a series of guided balance tasks that feel like simple, interactive “games.” Behind the scenes, sensors track your movement and postural sway in real time.
The system measures how well your body integrates:
Vestibular function (inner ear balance system)
Vision
Proprioception (sensation from muscles and joints)
Reaction time and motor control
The entire process is supervised by a licensed therapist. It is non-invasive and does not involve injections, medications, or radiation.
What Happens During Your Visit?
Your 40-minute appointment includes:
- Brief History Review
We discuss dizziness, falls, peripheral neuropathy, prior injuries, and situations where you feel most unsteady. - VR Setup and Orientation
You’ll be fitted with the headset and positioned safely. Support is available at all times. - Guided Balance Scenarios
You may be asked to:
Stand while the virtual environment moves around you
Shift your weight to follow targets
React to visual or auditory cues
Balance with visual input reduced to test non-visual systems
- Data Collection
The system tracks sway patterns, speed of movement, stability, and reaction timing in different environments.
All testing occurs in a safe, controlled setting with your therapist right beside you.
Why Virtual Reality Works So Well
Balance depends on the integration of three key systems:
The vestibular system (inner ear)
Vision
Sensory input from your feet, legs, and spine
Virtual reality allows us to challenge these systems in ways that mimic real-life environments—like busy stores or low-light conditions—while remaining safe and controlled.
VR-based balance platforms are developed as medical devices and used in neurological and vestibular rehabilitation settings. At Penrose Physical Therapy, we use this technology as part of a comprehensive, evidence-informed approach to balance and fall prevention.
Understanding Your Results
After the assessment, we review your results together in clear, understandable language. You’ll see how your balance changes under different conditions and which systems your body relies on most.
Common findings include:
Heavy reliance on vision for balance
Increased sway in visually busy environments
Slower reaction times in certain directions
Difficulty when surfaces feel unstable
From there, we:
Identify specific areas for improvement (such as vestibular function, ankle strategy, or core control)
Explain how those findings relate to your symptoms or fall history
Design a personalized treatment plan
Your program may include targeted balance and vestibular exercises and, when appropriate, advanced therapies like Upright VR or Stimpod.
We can also repeat portions of the assessment over time to objectively track your progress—not just rely on how you feel day to day.
Who Can Benefit?
An Upright VR Balance Assessment can be especially helpful for:
Individuals experiencing dizziness or vertigo
People with peripheral neuropathy affecting the feet or legs
Adults who feel unsteady in crowds or visually busy spaces
Anyone with a history of falls or near-falls
Active adults who want to prevent future balance problems
Anyone that has had a concussion
This technology isn’t just for elite athletes. It brings advanced assessment tools—once limited to research labs and hospital systems—into a community clinic setting.
If ongoing therapy is appropriate, your results help us build a more specific and efficient plan of care.
Take the Next Step Toward Steadier Movement
If you’re tired of feeling unsteady, limiting activities, or worrying about falls, an Upright Virtual Reality Balance Assessment can provide clarity and direction. While it’s not an instant cure, it offers objective answers and a practical roadmap toward stronger, more confident movement. We will be showing a live demonstration of the Upright VR at our Balance and Peripheral Neuropathy Seminar on March 25th at 6pm Penrose Physical Therapy in Lacey WA. Registration required as seats are limited. We will have a zoom link if we get beyond seating capacity or you can’t drive at night. We are located at 1445 Galaxy Dr. NE Suite 301 Lacey WA 98516. 360-456-1444 you can call or text us for more information. You don’t want to miss this event – it may be the difference in living an active life or one that succumbs to a fall and the consequences of that can be life altering.
Upright Virtual Reality: A Clearer Picture of Dizziness and Falls
Learn more at our free seminar on March 25th at 6pm in Lacey, WA at Penrose Physical Therapy.
Feeling unsteady during everyday activities like walking through the grocery store, navigating uneven ground, or moving around in the dark? Many people are told this is simply a part of getting older. In reality, balance problems and dizziness usually have specific, measurable causes. When we can understand what’s contributing to instability, we can begin to train and improve it.
The encouraging news is that balance can improve at almost any age. We have seen many people regain confidence in their movement and daily activities—even well into their 70s and 80s.
If you find yourself grabbing onto furniture as you move around your home, feeling nervous in crowded places, or avoiding events because you worry about your balance, it may be time to have it assessed and create a plan for improvement.
At Penrose Physical Therapy, we are excited to introduce a new technology that helps us better understand balance challenges. Our Upright Virtual Reality (VR) Balance Assessment is an advanced, non-invasive tool that measures how your eyes, inner ear, muscles, and joints work together to keep you steady.
This 40-minute assessment provides valuable information about how your balance system is functioning and includes a detailed explanation of your results along with recommended next steps. These systems were once only available in hospitals and research facilities due to their high cost. Today, advances in technology have made them accessible in specialized clinics like ours.
Unlike the gaming VR systems many people are familiar with, this technology uses medical-grade sensors that precisely measure your body’s sway, stability, and reaction time. This data allows us to identify what may be contributing to your dizziness or instability and create a personalized plan to improve it.
Why Balance Problems Deserve Attention
Falls are one of the leading causes of injury in the United States, particularly among older adults. They are often connected to changes in vision, vestibular (inner ear) function, slowed reaction times, or reduced sensation in the feet and legs.
Beyond physical injury, falls can lead to decreased confidence, reduced activity, and a loss of independence. That’s why understanding and addressing balance problems early can be so important.
This topic is personal for me. My grandmother had osteoporosis and experienced what seemed like a small fall, but it changed the course of her life. The fracture required surgical hardware that caused ongoing pain because of her fragile bones. After that injury, she was never able to return to the active lifestyle she once enjoyed.
Experiences like this are why I care deeply about bone health, fall prevention, and helping people maintain strong, confident movement throughout life.
Traditional balance tests—such as standing on one leg or walking in a straight line—can provide some useful information, but they are often subjective. Upright VR allows us to collect objective, measurable data about how your body responds to different conditions. Instead of simply labeling balance as “good” or “poor,” we can identify exactly which systems need support.
What Happens During an Upright VR Balance Assessment
During the assessment, you stand upright on a stable surface while wearing a virtual reality headset. You’ll complete a series of guided balance tasks that feel similar to simple interactive games. Meanwhile, sensors measure your body’s movement and postural sway in real time.
The system evaluates how well your body integrates several key systems involved in balance:
- Vestibular function (the inner ear balance system)
- Vision
- Proprioception (the sensation from muscles and joints that tells your body where it is in space)
- Reaction time and motor control
Your therapist remains beside you the entire time to ensure safety and guide you through the process. The assessment is completely non-invasive and does not involve injections, medications, or radiation.
Your visit includes a brief discussion about your symptoms and health history, followed by the VR assessment itself. During the testing you may be asked to shift your weight, react to visual cues, or maintain balance while the virtual environment changes around you.
All testing takes place in a safe, controlled environment.
Understanding Your Results
One of the most valuable parts of this assessment is reviewing the results together. The data helps us see how your balance responds in different situations and which systems your body relies on the most.
Some common findings include:
- Relying heavily on vision to maintain balance
- Increased instability in visually busy environments
- Slower reaction times when responding to movement
- Difficulty when surfaces feel unstable
With this information, we can identify specific areas to target in your treatment plan. Your personalized program may include balance training, vestibular exercises, strength work, and when appropriate, advanced therapies such as Upright VR or Stimpod.
Over time, portions of the assessment can be repeated to objectively measure your progress, helping both you and your therapist see how your balance system is improving.
Who Can Benefit
An Upright VR Balance Assessment can be especially helpful for people who experience:
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Peripheral neuropathy affecting the feet or legs
- Difficulty walking in crowds or visually busy environments
- A history of falls or near-falls
- Balance concerns after a concussion
- A desire to stay active and prevent future balance problems
This technology brings advanced assessment tools—once limited to large hospitals and research centers—into a community clinic setting.
Take the Next Step Toward Steadier Movement
If you’re feeling unsteady, limiting activities, or worrying about falls, an Upright Virtual Reality Balance Assessment can provide clarity and direction. While it is not an instant cure, it gives us valuable insight and a practical starting point for improving strength, stability, and confidence in your movement.
At Penrose Physical Therapy, our goal is to help people stay active, independent, and engaged in the activities they love.
We will be demonstrating the Upright VR system at our Balance and Peripheral Neuropathy Seminar on March 25th at 6pm at Penrose Physical Therapy in Lacey, WA. Seating is limited, and registration is required. A Zoom option will also be available for those who cannot attend in person.
Penrose Physical Therapy
1445 Galaxy Dr. NE, Suite 301
Lacey, WA 98516
Call or text 360-456-1444 for more information.
This event may be the first step toward understanding your balance and building a plan for a stronger, steadier future.
