Do Senior Balance Exercises Help Peripheral Neuropathy?

Senior Balance Exercises For Peripheral Neuropathy

By Suzanne Stoke, Physical Therapist @ Exercise For Balance via www.exerciseforbalance.com

   Peripheral Neuropathy is a common ailment among older adults and performing senior balance exercises as part of a daily routine can help. Please see  http://www.exerciseforbalance.com/buy-now Peripheral neuropathy is common in the elderly and results in impairments in distal proprioception, sensory feedback and strength. Deficits in both sensory input and strength in the lower legs and feet hinder balance and predispose aging individuals to falls. A basic diagnosis of Peripheral Neuropathy can be described by a loss of heel reflexes, decreased vibratory sense that improves proximally, impaired  position sense at the great toe, and inability to maintain unipedal stance for 10 seconds in three attempts. Impairments with theses tests suggest the presence of Peripheral Neuropathy in the lower legs and feet.  Physicians can help their patients with peripheral neuropathy to prevent falls by referring them to Physical Therapists who can teach them  and their families about peripheral nerve dysfunction and its effects on balance. Additionally, physical therapists can advise patients to substitute vision for the lost somatosensory function, correctly use a cane, wear proper shoes and orthotics, and perform specific senior balance exercises and upper extremity strengthening exercises.

Senior Balance Exercises Aid With Peripheral Neuropathy

       Physicians and therapists have seen that practicing certain senior balance exercises as part of a daily routine can improve steadiness and reduce the risk of falling for older people who struggle with Peripheral Neuropathy. Furthermore, Recent medical information has proven that balance exercises can help with peripheral neuropathy. In a study, Richardson J.K. and Ashton-Miller J.A. looked at the correlation of peripheral neuropathy and balance exercises to help prevent falls. One important aspect of a senior balance exercise program is to include specific stability strategies. Since folks with Peripheral Neuropathy have poor sensory feedback from their feet, it is more effective to imagine a plumb line coming through the middle of their body with their pelvic bowl representing a target -- like for playing darts. People with Peripheral Neuropathy can image that the middle of their pelvis is the bull's eye on the target. As they line up their body weight through the bull's eye of the target, they will be able to use that sensory cueing to enhance their balance abilities. You can learn these stability strategies and other senior balance exercises by following along with the Exercise For Balance DVD in the comfort of your own home.

Senior Balance Exercises In The Exercise For Balance DVD

    For those who have been diagnosed with Peripheral Neuropathy, you can learn the best balance exercises with the Exercise For Balance DVD. The comprehensive Balance DVD is an exceptional educational medium to use at home or in a group setting. The professionally filmed DVD is loaded with the best balance and strength exercises needed to enhance senior fitness and to perform basic activities like walking, standing, stair climbing or to advance to high level activities like playing golf, dancing and hiking. In the Exercise For Balance DVD, you will learn how to improve balance, steadiness techniques and balance routines from a balance instructor --licensed Physical Therapist-- who has worked with balance and dizziness disorders for over 20 years. Get your copy of the Exercise For Balance DVD by clicking on the BUY NOW button

 

Help Peripheral Neuropathy by starting balance exercises today with the Exercise For Balance DVD to improve balance and prevent falls.
For more information see http://www.mayoclinic.com/health-information/