Coordination ProblemsSymptoms
Coordination difficulties can affect balance, hand skills and movement confidence. Learn common causes, red flags, and how rehabilitation improves control and stability.
What are coordination problems?
Poor coordination may follow neurological conditions, vestibular disorders, injury or periods of deconditioning. It can affect fine motor skills, gait and balance, but often improves with targeted training.
Seek urgent care if coordination problems are sudden and severe, occur with severe headache, facial droop, speech/vision changes, or one‑sided weakness.
Who it affects and typical treatment
Who it affects
- Adults after illness, injury or neurological events
- People with vestibular conditions or deconditioning
- Athletes during return‑to‑play phases
Typical treatment plan
- Education and task‑specific practice
- Neuromuscular control and balance training
- Strengthening and graded exposure
Common causes
Neurological conditions
Stroke, Parkinson’s, MS can affect coordination.
Vestibular issues
Inner ear problems lead to dizziness and poor balance.
Musculoskeletal injury
Pain and swelling can disrupt normal motor patterns.
Deconditioning
Low activity reduces control and endurance.
Medications
Some medicines can cause unsteadiness or slowed responses.
Common symptoms
- Clumsiness or dropping objects; difficulty with fine motor tasks
- Unsteady gait, mis‑stepping, or veering when walking
- Poor balance, especially on uneven ground or in the dark
- Fatigue with tasks requiring accuracy or speed
Related symptoms: Balance problems, Muscle weakness
How a physiotherapist can help
- Task‑specific practice and movement strategy coaching
- Neuromuscular control, balance and gaze‑stability training
- Strength and endurance work to support coordination
Effective treatments
Therapeutic exercise
- Strength, endurance and dual‑task drills
- Progressive task complexity
Neuromuscular re‑education
- Gait, balance and reaction‑time training
- Vestibular and visual coordination where relevant
At‑home management
Balance
- Tandem stance and single‑leg drills near support
- Progress eyes‑closed or unstable surfaces cautiously
- Stop if dizzy; consult your clinician
Strength
- Sit‑to‑stand, calf raises, step‑ups
- 2–3 sessions/week as tolerated
- Track progress weekly
Safety
- Good lighting; remove trip hazards
- Use rails on stairs; sturdy footwear
- Have a spotter for challenging drills
Increase gradually if next‑day symptoms are acceptable. Reduce load during flares.
What to expect in physiotherapy
1) Assessment
- History, red‑flag screen, gait/balance checks
- Agree goals (falls risk, daily function, sport)
2) Plan
- Task‑specific practice and balance progression
- Strength and vestibular components as needed
3) Progress
- Advance complexity, speed and dual‑tasking
- Return‑to‑activity criteria and confidence building
Many improve in 4–12 weeks; complex cases may need longer with a staged plan.
Medical Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.