Let’s be honest, how often have you given your sense of balance any thought? If you are like most of us, never right?
Did you know that falling is the number one source of injuries for people over 65? Every 17 seconds someone is seen in the ER for a fall. Every 30 minutes, someone will die from injuries caused by a fall.
I have to be honest, I didn’t know that until a doctor I know brought it up.
Want to know the good news? Chiropractic helps with balance. Please let me explain.
A region of the brain, called the cerebellum, controls balance by coordinating three systems: vision, inner ear and where you sense your body is, also called propriocepetion.
It also works with the spinal cord, for as we know, the nerves control the whole body and spinal cord is where the nerves for the body originate.
What does Chiropractic influence? That’s right the spinal nerves.
If you would be interested in a case of vertigo that we helped please read our January 2014 Case of the Month.
Let’s discuss some other things you can do to improve your sense of balance.
Get Moving
As you perceive that you are getting a little shaky, people start to get nervous and become sedentary. That is the worst thing you can do.
Go for a walk in a park. Alternate between pavement, trails and grass as the different surfaces will force your muscles to work harder.
Create Unstable Surfaces
Try standing on a couple of pillows at home. Once comfortable, stand on one leg while swinging the other leg in the air.
Once that gets easy, try closing your eyes. Add in upper body in by swinging your right arm and your left leg for 15 seconds, then switch to your left arm and right leg for 15 seconds. Repeat this cycle 3 times.
Strengthen Your Core
People often mistake the core for being your abs only. Your core actually consists of you abdominal muscles, your legs, both front and back, and your low back.
If you are looking for core work a quick Google search will give you more than you could ever want. Hiring a personal trainer is never wasted money!
Yoga
It is well known that yoga can boost balance ability as it increases flexibility as well as strengthening tons of different muscles.
The key to yoga, however, is the emotional component. Studies have shown that people are more confident in their body when they have done yoga.
If you or someone you know is having a hard time with their balance, have them give me a call. We may be able to help them more than they realized.
