Submitted by Penrose & Associates Physical Therapy
For many adults in the South Sound, balance problems and neuropathy show up and get dismissed quietly. A little wobble here. A grab for the counter there. Numbness or tingling in the feet that’s been there so long it just feels normal. Most people chalk it up to aging and move on. What they don’t realize is that those small signs often point to something that, left unaddressed, significantly raises the risk of a serious fall.
The CDC estimates that one in four adults over 65 falls each year. Falls are among the leading causes of injury and lost independence in our community. But what rarely gets talked about is how preventable many of those falls are when balance decline gets caught and treated early.
The Connection Most People Miss
Peripheral neuropathy, the numbness, tingling, or burning sensation in the feet and legs, is one of the biggest contributors to balance problems that almost nobody talks about. When the feet can’t clearly sense the ground, the brain receives incomplete signals about where the body is in space. That gap is where falls happen.
For many patients, balance struggles and neuropathy have felt like two separate issues for years. Treating them as the connected problem they actually are is where real progress begins.
When the Pain Becomes the Floor You Walk On
One of our patients Leanne had lived with peripheral neuropathy in her feet for years. She described every step as walking on glass, like bee stings with each movement. It was something she had learned to endure rather than treat.
After receiving Stimpod treatment at Penrose & Associates Physical Therapy in Lacey, the change was dramatic. She described the difference as walking on clouds. She was so impacted by her results that she purchased her own Stimpod machine to continue care at home.
Her story is not an outlier. It’s a pattern the clinic sees regularly. People who have accepted chronic pain as permanent, discovering that the right treatment changes everything.
What Advanced Care Looks Like Locally
Penrose & Associates Physical Therapy has been serving the South Sound community for 19 years, offering one-on-one care with licensed therapists alongside some of the most advanced technologies available in the region.
For neuropathy, the clinic uses Stimpod Pulsed Radiofrequency, a non-invasive device that delivers gentle energy to support nerve recovery and restore sensation in the feet. For balance assessment and training, we offer Upright VR, a virtual reality system that gives therapists objective data about exactly how a patient’s balance systems are functioning under real-world conditions. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy rounds out the approach for patients dealing with brain fog or slower neurological response times that contribute to fall risk.
Every patient works directly with a licensed therapist who builds a personalized plan around their specific situation.
Two Upcoming Opportunities for the Community
Penrose & Associates is hosting a free Balance and Neuropathy Workshop on Wednesday, Aug. 12 at 6 p.m. at 1445 Galaxy Dr. NE Suite 301 in Lacey. The workshop will be led by vestibular expert Dr. Chad Rogers and is designed for anyone experiencing unsteadiness, numbness or tingling in the feet, or those who simply want to stay active and independent longer. Attendees will learn practical tools to reduce fall risk and get an overview of available treatment options. Space is limited and an RSVP is required.
The clinic is also celebrating its 19th anniversary with an open house on Sept. 18 from 3 to 6 p.m. The event will include a ribbon cutting for the new Recovery and Longevity Lounge, a dedicated wellness space featuring Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Red Light Therapy, Infrared Sauna, Compression Therapy, and Pulse PEMF. All providers will be present, complimentary appetizers will be served, and the first 20 attendees will be entered into a raffle.
To RSVP for the workshop or learn more, call or text .360.456.1444, email info@penrosept.com, or visit the Penrose & Associates Physical Therapy website.
Penrose & Associates Physical Therapy
1445 Galaxy Dr. NE Suite 301, Lacey
