Foot Issues And Senior Balance Exercises

Senior Balance Exercises Start At The Feet

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

   One of the three main components comes from the sense of touch between the feet and the floor and can be enhanced through practicing a series of senior balance exercises. Please see   http://www.exerciseforbalance.com/buy-now The balance center in the brain gathers information from the eyes, inner ear vestibular system and sense of touch from the feet to marinating needed stability for all of the day's standing and walking movements. As a result, having healthy feet, devoid of health issues, is imperative for adequate steadiness. Here are a few common foot issues that plague older individuals:

Fungal infections, such as athlete's foot, happen because our feet are in shoes most of the time. Shoes are warm, dark, and moist—the perfect place for fungus to grow. A fungus can cause dry skin, redness, blisters, itching, and peeling. It can be hard to cure. Over-the-counter anti-fungal powders or creams can help. If your foot does not get better within 2–4 weeks, talk to your doctor.

To prevent infections:

• Keep your feet clean and dry. Be sure to dry the area between your toes.

• Change your shoes and socks or stockings often to help keep your feet dry.

• Don't buy tight shoes.

• Try dusting your feet every day with talc-free foot powder.

Dry skin can cause itching and burning feet. Use mild soap in small amounts and a cream or lotion on your legs and feet every day. Be careful about adding oils to bath water since they can make your feet and bathtub very slippery.

Corns and calluses are caused by pressure when the bony parts of your feet rub against your shoes. Corns usually appear on the tops or sides of toes while calluses form on the soles of feet. Wearing shoes that fit better or using non-medicated pads may help. While bathing, gently rub the corn or callus with a washcloth or pumice stone to help reduce the size. To avoid infection, do not try to shave off the corn or callus. See your doctor, especially if you have diabetes or circulation problems.

Warts are skin growths caused by viruses. They may be painful and can spread if not treated. Some over-the-counter products may help to get rid of warts. See your doctor for treatment.

Bunions are swollen and tender joints that can develop at the base of your big toes. They tend to run in families. Bunions can also be caused by shoes that are too small or have pointed toes. If a bunion is not too painful, wearing shoes cut wide at the toes and middle part of the foot (instep) or shoe inserts may help. Taping or padding the bunion may bring relief. Some over-the-counter pain medicine may lessen pain and reduce swelling. Talk to your doctor if you are in pain. Sometimes surgery is needed to relieve the pressure and repair the toe joint.

Ingrown toenails are caused by a piece of the nail piercing the skin. This can happen if you don't cut your toenails straight across so the corner of the nail can be seen above the skin. Use clippers made to cut toenails. Ingrown toenails are very common in the large toes. A doctor can remove the part of the nail that is cutting into the skin.

Neuromas are the result of a build-up of tissue around an inflamed nerve in the foot. They may cause tingling, numbness, or pain in the ball of your foot and toes. This may cause you to lose your balance. Shoes that are too narrow or have high heels can make the problem worse. See your doctor. Sometimes, inserts put in your shoes can help.

Hammertoe is caused by a shortening of the tendons that control toe movements. The toe joint grows and pulls the toe back. Over time, the joint gets bigger and stiffens as it rubs against shoes. This can affect your balance. More space in the shoe or stocking can help. In very serious cases, surgery may be needed.

Spurs are bony bumps that grow on bones of your feet. They are caused by stress on the feet. Standing for long periods of time, wearing badly fitting shoes, or being overweight can make spurs worse. Sometimes spurs are painless. At other times, they can hurt. Treatments for spurs include foot supports, heel pads, and heel cups. Sometimes surgery is needed.

Swollen feet may happen when you have been standing for a long time. If your feet and ankles stay swollen, it may be a sign of more serious health problems. See your doctor for a check-up.

    Taking good care of your feet will result in improved balance. In addition, practicing certain senior balance exercises will also advance your steadiness skills.

Senior Balance Exercises For Better Stability

  Older adults who have foot problems should practice  senior balance exercises on a regular basis to avoid falling. Any aging individual who has decreased sensation in their feet should be vigilant to perform equilibrium routines every day to boost their steadiness skills and limit falling. as an example, you can start by standing with your feet shoulder width a part and imaging a line coming through the midline of your body. The imaginary line should anchor in the floor in the middle of your feet. with this alignment, you can focus on your body weight alignment. You can learn how to practice this stability technique and other senior balance exercises by following the direction of a qualified Physical Therapist in the Exercise For Balance DVD.

Senior Balance Exercises In The Exercise For Balance DVD

    For those with foot problems, get started on a course of the best balance exercises with the Exercise For Balance DVD. The healthcare provider recommended Exercise For Balance DVD is a high quality instructional DVD to use at home or in a group setting. The easy to understand and simple to follow Exercise For Balance DVD includes  a step by step series of the latest balance and strength exercises necessary to optimize senior fitness and to carry out basic daily activities like shopping, doing laundry,  walking, standing, cleaning house, stair climbing or to advance to more difficult pursuits like skiing, dancing, playing golf and hiking. In the  comprehensive Exercise For Balance DVD, you will learn how to improve stability, how to apply steadiness techniques and how to safely execute balance routines from a  qualified balance specialist --- licensed Physical Therapist---who has worked with balance and dizziness disorders for over 25 years. Get your copy of the Exercise For Balance DVD by clicking on the BUY NOW button

Enjoy 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/