Spine Health And Senior Balance Exercises

Senior Balance Exercises To Avoid Falls

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

     One way older individuals can protect their spine and maximize their spinal health is to practice senior balance exercises every day to improve steadiness and to limit the possibility of a fall and spinal fracture due to falling. Please see more up to date information at  http://www.exerciseforbalance.com/buy-now The spine is made up of structures called vertebrae. As we age, many people experience a decrease in the bone density of their spine which is aligned with a diagnosis called osteoporosis. Osteoporosis in the spine is very common due to its structure. The spine is made up of thirty-three vertebrae which are mostly comprised of honeycomb like trabecular bone. Trabecular bone is much more fragile than the hard outer shell called cortical bone which makes up the bone in arms and legs. The vertebrae are stacked on top of each other with spongy cushions between them which are called disks. With every step that we take, our vertebrae are exposed to compression forces. Our spine is a natural S shaped curve to act as a spring or shock absorber. The disks in between the vertebrae also help with shock absorption. When the vertebrae become weaker during our later years, the normal forces that pass through the vertebrae with normal daily activities can lead to a spinal compression fracture. When one vertebrae breaks, stress on the other vertebrae can cause more fractures. Older adults are more prone to falling which significantly increases the risk of spinal compression fractures, especially with those people who suffer with osteoporosis. As a result, medical personnel recommend that those in the aging population practice senior balance exercises every day to improve their stability and reduce the risk of falling and sustaining spinal compression fractures.

Senior Balance Exercises For Fall Prevention

     To maintain optimal bone health into later years, older individuals are encouraged to rehearse senior balance exercises every day, which will help them enhance their overall stability and minimize the risk for falling. Those in the aging population can practice equilibrium routines in the comfort of their own home. One such meaningful balance exercise for elderly individuals involves tandem standing. A tandem stance exercise includes standing near a kitchen sink or counter with one foot directly in front of the other foot. You can hold this position for about twenty seconds three times in a row and then switch the position of your feet with the other foot behind and stand for twenty seconds for three repetitions. During this tandem stance stability routine, you will notice that your feet and ankles are wobbling. This movement stimulates the natural balance reactions at that muscles and joints in your lower leg which helps to improve your overall steadiness with all standing and walking activities. Conveniently at home You can join in the demonstration of tandem standing and other senior balance exercises provided by A knowledgeable physical therapist in the exercise for balance DVD.

Senior Balance Exercises In The Exercise For Balance DVD

    To make sure you don't fall and sustain a spinal compression fracture,  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 most up to date 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

Avoid falls 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/