Written by Osteo, Annabel Silver
Balance is an essential part of walking and movement for all ages. When assessing a patient's walking (also called gait), I also test for balance ability, as walking is just a series of standing on one leg. Good balance improves walking motion and athletic performance. It's one of those things that we may not notice has an issue until it is challenged or tested. Fortunately, in most cases your balance can be improved with practice and exercises.
Children are naturally drawn to balance building exercises- such as balancing beams, rocking horses and scooters/skateboards. But as we get older we may not be challenging our balance systems of muscles and brain connections and what we don't use, we lose.
Balance often decreases as we get older, a time when our balance is more important than ever to keep us mobile and safe. Injuries and surgeries can also affect our balance, for example an ankle sprain or hip replacement.
Some tests that I commonly use during assessment are testing how long you can stand on one leg without needing to hold on for balance. Is there a difference on one leg compared to the other? Can the patient stand with feet together and eyes closed?
Remedying poor balance often begins with starting some home exercises that are suitable to the patient's needs and level of ability. For example, standing on one leg while you brush your teeth or tandem stance with toe to heel, with a goal of balancing for 30 seconds.
Perhaps your balance could do with some improvement?