Gait Disorders And Senior Balance Exercises

Senior Balance Exercises Help With Walking

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

  Many older adults struggle with steadiness during walking events and thankfully, practicing senior balance exercises can enhance steadiness and reduce the potential of a fall. Please see   http://www.exerciseforbalance.com/buy-now Over the last few years, medical researchers have evaluated many aspects of fall prevention and the effectiveness of performing stability routines on a regular basis. In general, gait and balance disorders are common in older adults and are a major cause of falls in this population. They are associated with increased morbidity and mortality, as well as reduced level of function. Common causes include arthritis and orthostatic hypotension; however, most gait and balance disorders involve multiple contributing factors. Most changes in gait are related to underlying medical conditions and should not be considered an inevitable consequence of aging. Physicians and other healthcare professionals like physical therapists caring for older patients should ask at least annually about falls, and should ask about or examine for difficulties with gait and balance at least once. For older adults who report a fall, physicians should ask about difficulties with gait and balance, and should observe for any gait or balance dysfunctions. The Timed Up and Go test is a fast and reliable diagnostic tool. Persons who have difficulty or demonstrate unsteadiness performing the Timed Up and Go test require further assessment, usually with a physical therapist, to help elucidate gait impairments and related functional limitations. The most effective strategy for falls prevention involves a multifactorial evaluation followed by targeted interventions for identified contributing factors. As an example, effective options for patients with gait and balance disorders include specific senior balance exercises, strengthening exercises and physical therapy.

Senior Balance Exercises

    In order to stay active and independent as you age, be sure to rehearse senior balance exercises on a daily basis. Anyone who struggles with balance problems while they walk can greatly reduce their risk of falling by rehearsing daily equilibrium routines. For most aging individuals, even practicing equilibrium routines for one to two minutes a few times a day will help you build stability with movement activities. Additionally, you can easily incorporate steadiness exercises in your regular daily activities. For example, while you are getting dressed or brushing your teeth, you can practice centering your body weight in the middle of your feet to establish strong connections between the sensory input in your feet and the balance center in your brain. Furthermore, you can rehearse standing on one foot in the kitchen while you are waiting for your coffee to brew. You can practice dynamic balance activities like centering your weight when you get up from a chair. You can also work on staying steady as you turn in the bathroom or kitchen while walking. You can learn these specific stability techniques and appropriate senior balance exercises by following along with the senior balance exercises presented by a knowledgeable Physical Therapist in the Exercise For Balance DVD.

Senior Balance Exercises In The Exercise For Balance DVD

    For anyone who struggles with stability while they are walking, please begin  the best balance exercises with the Exercise For Balance DVD. The Exercise For Balance DVD is an exceptional educational tool to use at home or in a group setting. The Exercise For Balance DVD is loaded with fantastic balance and strength exercises needed to enhance senior fitness and to perform basic activities like walking, standing, cooking, 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, stability 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

To stay safe while walking, start 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/