By Todd Johnson

If you are one of the many people who struggle with holding their balance or even the occasional fall, it can be fixed with a few simple adjustments in your life. First let’s address the cause to your trouble with balancing; it can stem from getting older, joint injuries/replacements, diabetes, ALS, brain injuries, arthritis and many other reasons. Regardless of the reason there is a way to increase your proprioception. Proprioception is the sixth sense or kinesthesia which allows you to perceive the position and movement of your body. This includes our sense of equilibrium and balance. An example of being proprioceptively aware would be, closing your eyes and touching your nose with your pointer finger without missing.

In order to improve your balance and equilibrium, it is important to perform proprioceptive exercises. These exercises can consist of anything requiring focus on balance, such as: single leg stance on an unstable object, balancing on a Bosu Ball, yoga, etc. Performing these specific exercises are important because it will help you to improve your equilibrium and ability to balance. You will have more control of individual muscles and become more aware of your body movements. Your muscles will become stronger and it can decrease the chances of falls/injuries, leading to a healthier lifestyle.

If you are unsure if you need help with balance, ask yourself these questions:

Do I have a hard time holding my balance for more than a couple seconds?

Do I find myself stumbling as I walk?

Have I ever fallen due to lack of balance?

Do I want to increase my overall ability to balance?

If you said yes to any of these then you can begin to make those changes by taking the next step and come to United Medical Fitness. You can schedule a consultation with one of our Kinesiologists and learn how to improve your balance. Any questions you have, we are more than happy to discuss them with you and give you answers that may provide clarity.