Balance Exercises To Help Maintain A High Quality of Life
Balance is an important aspect of everyday activities including ambulation, ascending/descending stairs, and performing dress activities and preparing meals. It is important to maintain good balance to help prevent falls which may lead to injuries.
Training your body to know where it is in space (proprioception or kinesthesia) is part of balance training. You may have poor proprioception if you have joint instability, diabetes, had a stroke, have Parkinson’s Disease or other medical conditions or some medications. Age-related physiological changes may also contribute to a loss of proprioception (BALANCE).
Performing balance exercises 3-4 times a week and incorporating Pilates, yoga or tai chi into your workout routine may improve strength and motor skills to help prevent falls while performing everyday functional activities. Physical Therapy cannot change a disease process or make you any younger, but it can help you feel better and more confident with your movements.
Balance Exercise
Standing feet hip-distance apart with eyes open and then eyes closed
Standing feet together with eyes open and then eyes closed
Single leg stance with eyes open and then eyes closed
Single leg stance with arm reach
Safety Tips:
Start exercises with single support (as shown) or with both hands at the kitchen sink) and if you can, advance to no support.
Start on the floor and advance to an uneven surface (pillow).
If you feel unsafe or that you will lose your balance, please have somebody with you.
About the Author: Cheryl Jeffries
A licensed Physical Therapy Assistant at Durant Physical Therapy, Cheryl Jeffries is a talented therapist with specialties including gait analysis, aquatic therapy, manual therapy, kinesiology taping, and integrated neuromuscular re-education.
Are you concerned about your balance?
The therapists at Durant Physical Therapy can do a complete assessment to determine a course of treatment to help regain your confidence. Call 860-430-2344 now to schedule!