What is BalanceWear®?
BalanceWear is an innovative, non-invasive, patented torso-stabilizing device indicated for patients with mobility difficulties associated with loss of balance. BalanceWear has successfully been applied to patients with a wide variety of neurological, orthopedic, and balance disorders including those with:
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Parkinson’s Disease (PD)
Ataxia
Stroke
Scoliosis
Neuropathy
Low back problems (LBP)
Older adults
Each BalanceWear device is an individualized, wearable product that incorporates strategically-placed sensory input in the form of very light weights, the placement of which is determined by a BalanceWear-trained physical or occupational therapist. By wearing the BalanceWear customized garment, many people have experienced changes in their balance and mobility. BalanceWear was invented by Cynthia Gibson-Horn, PT, who spent more than ten years in research and development before market introduction in 2010.
What is BBTW® (Balance-Based Torso-Weighting®)?
Balance-Based Torso-Weighting is a patented assessment and treatment system consisting of an assessment procedure that ultimately results in manufacturing of a personalized and custom BalanceWear product for the patient. A BBTW-trained therapist assesses an individual’s balance to determine three-dimensional loss of balance of the upper and lower trunk. Once the balance dysfunctions are identified, small unobtrusive weights or other sensory stimuli are strategically placed upon the torso (trunk) as indicated by the Assessment Method to correct balance dysfunctions.
Once BalanceWear is applied, the majority of individuals note improved mobility, balance, and confidence.
What scientific research demonstrates the validity of BalanceWear
Please go to our Publications, Presentations, Grants and Research page to review currently published peer reviewed research and scientific publications.
Are there any TV news or other broadcasts segments featuring BalanceWear?
Yes. Click here to see an ABC News Segment and click here to see an Everyday Health News Segment narrated by Sanjay Gupta, MD.
Where can I be evaluated to see if BalanceWear will help me?
BalanceWear is currently available in the United States through a growing network of BalanceWear-trained therapists. Specialized training in our proprietary testing and application techniques is required for physical therapists and other healthcare providers prior to providing BalanceWear to patients. The number and location of trained BalanceWear therapists is constantly expanding.
For personalized assistance in scheduling your BalanceWear evaluation appointment at a center convenient for you, please call 888.330.2289.
There is very strong demand for BalanceWear in the USA.
- Alabama:
- Birmingham
- Mobile
- (Local patients only)
- Robertsdale
- (Local patients only)
- Arkansas:
- Fayetteville
- California:
- Berkeley
- Chico
- Downey
- El Segundo
- Fresno
- Irvine
- Laguna Hills
- Oroville
- Pleasant Hill
- Pleasanton
- Pomona
- Redding
- Roseville
- San Francisco
- San Ramon
- Walnut Creek
- Westlake Village
- Colorado:
- Aurora
- Fort Collins
- Greeley
- Lakewood
- Longmont
- Connecticut:
- Trumbull
- Delaware:
- Bear
- Florida:
- Fort Myers
- Naples
- Orlando
- Georgia:
- Atlanta
- Illinois:
- Fayetteville
- Glenview
- Grays Lake
- (Local patients only)
- Springfield
- Indiana:
- Indianapolis
- (Local patients only)
- Kansas:
- Lawrence
- Lenexa
- Overland Park
- Wichita
- (Local patients only)
- Kentucky:
- La Grange
- Lexington
- Nicholasville
- Maryland:
- Baltimore
- Michigan:
- Livonia
- Muskegon
- Mississippi:
- Flowood
- Jackson
- Nebraska:
- Omaha
- New Jersey:
- Ramsey
- Wayne
- Woodbury Heights
- (Local Patients only)
- New Mexico:
- Albuquerque
- New York:
- Fulton
- New York
- West Haverstraw
- North Carolina:
- Durham
- North Dakota:
- Fargo
- Ohio:
- Centerville
- (Local patients only)
- Toledo
- Oklahoma:
- Edmond
- Tulsa
- Oregon:
- Tigard
- Pennsylvania:
- Bala Cynwyd
- Malvern
- Montoursville
- Radnor
- Wayne
- Texas:
- Round Rock
- Wimberley
- Virginia:
- Charlottesville
- Wisconsin:
- Waukesha
- (Need to be state resident)
Will BalanceWear help my specific balance problem?
The BalanceWear® assessment is conducted by a BBTW-trained professional prior to deciding whether a BalanceWear garment should be prescribed or purchased. During the assessment, you will be able to decide for yourself whether you feel effects from BalanceWear on your balance and mobility. No one is required to purchase a BalanceWear garment after the assessment. The decision is based on the functional improvements experienced by you during the assessment before moving forward to obtain a customized BalanceWear garment.
In the research and clinical work with hundreds of patients, BalanceWear has been observed to improve balance. Improvements have ranged from minor to extraordinary. In addition to balance changes, many people may experience improvement in coordination and walking, among other functions, including vision and hand writing improvements. We believe that stabilizing the core is responsible for improved control of the extremities.
Each person is unique and will experience the impact of BBTW technology differently. Our company policy requires that no BalanceWear product may be ordered for a patient without first documenting the improvements made during the assessment. The PT who provides the assessment will bill your insurance or charge you. No money is to be spent on a BBTW garment, whether it is precious Medicare funds, private insurance reimbursements, or your personal funds, without first having demonstrated success in balance improvement. Your first step to see if this patented technology can help you is to have a BalanceWear® assessment from one of our trained therapists.
What imbalance conditions will not be helped by BalanceWear?
Individuals with significant leg spasticity or very weak hips often do not experience improvements. Drop foot is typically not helped.
In cases where a patient is imbalanced in all directions and the BBTW protocol does not make an improvement when the strategic weights are applied, patients in this condition may not be a candidate for BalanceWear.
How often should I wear my BalanceWear?
BalanceWear should be worn every day. Your BBTW-trained professional will guide your activity to identify the amount of time to wear BalanceWear. Frail and elderly people may start wearing BalanceWear for several brief periods of time until their body can acclimate to the technology. Whereas, other patients who experience improvement, and can tolerate the wear time, may wear it all day. If you feel better, walk with better coordination, and have the capacity, we recommend wearing it most of the day especially when you are moving. When BalanceWear is applied and your movement and walking ability may improve. We want to encourage and practice good movement patterns to change the existing neural patterns.
There is a saying, neurons that fire together wire together. It takes millions of repetitions for the brain to make changes. Through daily wearing, your body may make these positive changes.
Think about wanting to become a great concert pianist or an expert pitcher. There is no shortcut to achieving excellence. It requires countless hours of practice. BalanceWear makes this process much easier for you – all you need to do is wear it as prescribed and BalanceWear will take care of the rest! With guidance of a therapist to increase your ability and continue to challenge your system, we hope you will attain the best possible outcome.
Can I return BalanceWear?
Unfortunately, since the design of the garment is custom-designed and manufactured for each individual, we cannot accept returns.
What happens if BalanceWear appears to stop working?
Please contact your therapist immediately for a reassessment. Due to changes in your balance, laundering, or for some other reason, the precise placement of your weights may have changed. It is recommended that you stop wearing your BalanceWear garment for three to four days prior to the reassessment to make sure any “Carry-Over” (see below) from wearing BalanceWear is gone.
What does “Carry-Over” mean?
Many patients experience a feeling like they are still wearing BalanceWear for varying periods of time, typically 1 to 4 hours, after BalanceWear is removed. If you feel your balance is becoming compromised, replace BalanceWear immediately.
Can my body learn from BalanceWear?
Many patients report that they are better functionally after wearing BalanceWear for several days, weeks or months. Given that BalanceWear Technology is highly-customized, each and every patient/individual experiences alters their body’s capability to learn.
How much exercise should I do with BalanceWear?
Please consult with your treatment provider to discuss, as they are in the best position to help develop exercise programs optimized with the use of BalanceWear.
Do insurance carriers provide reimbursement for BalanceWear?
The BalanceWear Model OW200 or OW250 LSO (Lumbar Sacral Orthotic) has a Medicare insurance reimbursement code of L0631 and may be covered by insurance if you meet the orthopedic requirements for an LSO, have a prescription from your doctor with the appropriate orthopedic diagnosis, and have an insurance policy that covers an LSO. Please check with your insurance company to see how much they will pay or reimburse. BalanceWear Model BW350 and BW450 currently do not have insurance coverage. Please contact your insurance carrier to determine if they will pay for an EO700 miscellaneous code or some other option.with a Letter of Medical Necessity. The more carriers are queried about BalanceWear, it may become a covered item especially if you are at less risk of falling with the use of BalanceWear.
Is a medical prescription required to purchase BalanceWear?
The BBTW trained therapist needs a prescription for evaluation and treatment. You will need another prescription for the appropriate BalanceWear model after your assessment, if you decide to move forward to obtain BalanceWear,you need a prescription for BalanceWear. Click to the prescription. The BW300, BW350 and BW450 prescription should list your diagnosis (MS, Parkinson’s, Ataxia, etc.) and list the specific BalanceWear garment. The OW200 LSO prescription additionally requires the primary orthopedic diagnosis that the LSO is correcting.
What is the price of BalanceWear?
Please contact your Certified BalanceWear® therapist in your local community to determine the price of an assessment from a certified provider and the cost of the BalanceWear® product model for your individual needs.
For patients with MS funds may be available from the MS Foundation due to a grant that was provided by grateful patients and benefactors. Please check with your local MS Society Chapter to see if they have any funding available. Currently we do not know of other Foundations that provide assistance. Please click link for details and application forms.
How do I purchase BalanceWear?
Please call us at 888.330.2289 – our staff will provide contact information with the closest BalanceWear therapists that may be able to help you.
BalanceWear is only available from certified-trained therapists and other trained medical professionals. It is not available via any other source due to the patient-specific, custom-made nature of BalanceWear. Please call us at 888.330.2289 and we will be happy to help you
How do I clean and maintain my BalanceWear?
Hand launder in cool water with a mild detergent. Do not remove the weights. Squeeze the excess water from the garment, roll in a towel and lay flat to air dry. ,Care instructions are included with each device.
What should I tell airline personnel when traveling?
BalanceWear is an FDA Class 1 medical device balance vest utilizing small weights that enable immediate dynamic trunk stabilization. The weights are made from a flexible silicone and iron powder. For more information on these medical devices, travel personnel can be referred to the product information section on the BalanceWear website.