Balance

June 29, 2004

Deb,

Any balance problems I have had are from walking on uneven surfaces,

like gravel, or in mud. I have never had dizziness. If I am carrying

heavy bags (like groceries) or if I am carrying alot of 'stuff' that

too, can throw my balance off - and I have been known to fall. I have

trained myself to pay as much attention to where my feet are as I can.

Physical therapy did wonders for this - my horsebackriding days were

great for learning balance too. Here's a couple of websites you might

wish to look at.

I also use a Rocker Board (round one) in aquatics to work on my feet and

legs balance; for arms/hand-eye coordination, I use a series of floats

in motion - also in the pool; and in the gym we have a Bosu trainer

which is good to use for balance - although I am starting carefully. And

for a few more ideas:

Use your eyes as much as possible.

Place nightlights in bedrooms, halls, and bathrooms. '

Train your leg muscles and increase signals from both the legs and feet

by walking barefoot on a variety of uneven surfaces (grass, sand,

trails, hills, etc.). (This is why I walk in sand!)

Swim with the eyes open, wearing goggles if necessary.

Increase your muscle strength with exercise and sports (Wear good,

stable, flat shoes).

Do balance exercises. Stand on one leg with eyes open and closed. Try to

walk on a

straight line (Practice with a friend to prevent falling).

When it is dark, use a flashlight. The reasons are obvious: we cannot

see very well in the dark, so the brain only receives signals from the

muscles; this makes the person unstable.

Any falling I do now is so infrequent compared to my younger CMT days

when something like opening the refridgerator door would throw me off

balance.

~ Gretchen

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