According to the National Institute of Health, over 90 million adult Americans have experienced a dizziness or balance problem. Of those who seek medical attention on an outpatient basis, 10% are severely disabled by their dysfunction. We here at Balance Chicago want to keep you from being a statistic!
Now, you may be thinking, “I am young and healthy, why in the world would I need to work on my balance?” You may be surprised to know that just because you have not fallen, your balance may still be a problem and not checking it out could lead to bigger problems in the future. Here are a few things that happen when you have good balance:
It is also good to know that there is a difference between static balance and dynamic balance. Static balance is when you are still, such as sitting or standing. Dynamic balance is when you are moving, such as walking, running, bending, or reaching. Working on both are important for you to maintain good health.
Your balance is one of those things that fall into the “use it or lose it” category. It is similar to maintaining your strength, flexibility, and general fitness. Your balance can erode with age, especially if you are not active. To maintain your long-term health, put balance exercises on your “to do” list.
With hundreds of tools on the market, which ones are proven to help you improve your balance? Thanks to our years of experience, we have selected our top 3 tools to help you get started! We have put together some key exercises and progressions that you can do at home or in the gym. It is always a good idea to consult your physical therapist before starting these exercises. We are here to help! Without further ado, let’s get started.
Airex Pad– a dense piece of foam that challenges your balance more than standing on the floor. It is good for challenging your balance because your body must adapt to the constant subtle changes as you stand on it. Your control functions of your brain are activated which send signals to your receptors in your muscles that control your joint stability.
BOSU– an inflated rubber hemisphere attached to a rigid platform. The BOSU is great because it adds more dimension to your balance training. You can use it with the flat side down for a more stable base or with the dome side down for more balance challenge. Watch the video below to learn more:
Half Foam Roller– a twist on the traditional foam roller, this design is literally cut in half and allows the user to practice balance. It combines the benefits of both the airex pad and the BOSU. The length also is good for standing in tandem. Watch the video below to learn more:
All of these will improve your balance, and they are versatile and have many more uses for strengthening your whole body. Stay tuned for more videos on how to use these great products. For a full balance assessment, give us a call or schedule above.
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