Balance issues are common and have a variety of causes. In today's post I want to offer a piece of the solution that can make a big difference, even though there may be other causes that are also playing a role. (If you cannot get the video to work, please watch it here.)What are some of the common causes of balance issues?
And frequently these problems are stacked on top of each other, so one may need to unpack the problem one bit at a time. So, update your glasses, check your medications with your doctor, seek treatment for your leg pain - do what is possible for you. Falls are no fun and can take a long time to come back from, so it is also worth taking the time to fall-proof your home.
No matter what your balance problem, there is something you can do starting right now that can make a difference over time. You can stretch your legs. The more range of motion you have in your ankles, knees and hips, the easier it is to catch yourself to prevent falls. You want to be like weebles - remember them? Weebles wobble but they don't fall down? You need to have slack in your leg muscles to be able to recover from being pushed off balance. Also, the wider you can spread apart your legs, the wider the base of support you have, which automatically makes it easier to balance. If the stretches hurt, back off to the point they don't. If you can't find a pain-free way, the stretch is not for you. Listen to your body - it will tell you what you can handle and what you can't. Please do keep the comments coming on my blog. If you want to subscribe or search for other posts by title or by topic, go to www.wellnesstips.ca. Related Tips
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