Disclosed is a portable, manually manipulated perturbation device and methods for proprioceptive and reactive balance training and therapy. The perturbation device is manipulated by a person other than the user to impart linear, rotational or tilting movement, or a combination thereof. The device generally comprises a base, a movable assembly positioned on the base and configured to be stood upon by a user. The movable assembly is movable with respect to the base by a manually manipulated assembly connected to the movable assembly. The method generally comprises the steps of providing a perturbation device, positioning a user on the perturbation device and manipulating the perturbation device by a person other than the user to create the linear, rotational, or tilting movement, or a combination thereof.