The unexpected sensation of falling or dizziness can arise out of nowhere … a missed step, a sideways glance that triggers instability, the twist of an ankle, a trip on a sidewalk, or a quick grab for dropped keys.
All of a sudden, you feel woozy, disoriented or find yourself falling toward the nearest chair or the hard ground. As people age, the ability to stay balanced, steady and strong is necessary to perform and enjoy common activities.
Therapy Helps, Regardless Of Cause
The good news is that balance and steadiness are skills that can be explored, reinforced, and learned with the help of a trained exercise physiologist at Cary Grossman Health & Wellness Center at Jupiter Medical Center.
The goal of balance therapy, says Benjamin Klein, MSPT, TPI CGFI, Outpatient Rehabilitation Operations Manager, is regaining skills and movements that have been lost to health issues, medication side effects or other types of injuries, such as a stroke or an accident. Balance therapy supports patients so they can:
• retain existing body stability
• regain what has been lost as part of the aging or disease process
• gain/improve new skills to improve balance and stability
What Causes Balance Issues?
Balance problems can develop for a variety of reasons, according to the National Institute on Aging. Common causes include inner ear disorders or chronic ear infections, vertigo, thyroid or nerve disorders, heart disease, lack of physical exercise, medication side effects, aging-related loss of muscle mass and other chronic conditions, such as diabetes.
“Balance therapy is also a perfect example of the saying, ‘If you don’t use it, you lose it,’” Klein says. “Maintaining balance is more than how you stand or maneuver. It’s a key factor that defines a healthy, satisfying, active and engaging life and lifestyle at any age—and especially as you age at any age.”
At the Grossman Center, all class activities and movements can be modified to meet individual needs and abilities. The primary focus, says Klein, is on building lower-body strength, increasing endurance and improving balance.
“The good news is that balance therapy incorporates exercises into each patient’s routine to maintain existing skills and stability while strengthening and improving both,” Klein explains.
Try This Exercise For Yourself
Eager to try simple exercises to maintain balance? Stand next to a wall or bar. Steady yourself by placing your palm against the wall or holding onto the bar. Slowly place one foot directly in front of the other, and then remove your hands from the wall/bar. Maintain that position for 15-30 seconds, always using the bar or wall to catch yourself immediately if you become wobbly or unstable. Then switch your feet by moving the back foot to the front, and repeat the 15-30-second stance.
For more information on classes, call the Cary Grossman Health & Wellness Center at (561) 263-5775.
