{"id":1231,"date":"2017-10-20T09:47:50","date_gmt":"2017-10-20T09:47:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.petersfield-physio-clinic.co.uk\/?p=1231"},"modified":"2021-07-28T16:36:21","modified_gmt":"2021-07-28T16:36:21","slug":"stay-safer-as-you-get-older-improving-a-sense-of-balance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.petersfield-physio-clinic.co.uk\/home-page\/2017\/10\/20\/stay-safer-as-you-get-older-improving-a-sense-of-balance\/","title":{"rendered":"Stay safer as you get older: improving a sense of balance"},"content":{"rendered":"\n[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_image _builder_version=”3.0.62″ src=”http:\/\/www.petersfield-physio-clinic.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Balance.jpg” show_in_lightbox=”off” url_new_window=”off” use_overlay=”off” sticky=”off” align=”left” always_center_on_mobile=”on” border_style=”solid” force_fullwidth=”off” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.62″ background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” border_style=”solid”]\r\n\r\nLike breathing, balancing is something we depend upon and our bodies do it without us even noticing, until something goes wrong.<\/span>\r\n\r\nBut balance isn\u2019t something we\u2019re either good at or not. Like any other musculoskeletal activity that we deal with at Petersfield Physiotherapy, it\u2019s something you can maintain and improve with the right exercises, especially as you get older. <\/span>\r\n\r\nSo, for <\/span>balance awareness week<\/a><\/strong>, I\u2019d like to take a look at this important element to physical health.<\/span>\r\n\r\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Why Header” _builder_version=”3.0.62″ background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” text_font_size=”18″ text_text_color=”#7d78b9″ border_style=”solid” custom_padding=”50px|||”]\r\n\r\nWhy is balance important?\r\n\r\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.62″ background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” border_style=”solid”]\r\n\r\nKeeping a healthy balance system is crucial for your mobility and wellbeing. Having good balance is vital for maintaining a strong postural alignment, which is why balance becomes increasingly important as we get older and back, neck and shoulder pains can become more frequent.<\/span>\r\n\r\nPoorer balance is also a key contributor to suffering falls. According to Age UK\u2019s 2017 report, <\/span>Later Life in the UK<\/a><\/strong>, falls are the largest cause of emergency hospital admissions for older people, with around 220,000 falls-related emergency hospital admissions in England of patients aged 65 and older.<\/span>\r\n\r\nIn 2015, nearly 65,000 people over the age of 60 suffered hip fractures in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.<\/span>\r\n\r\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Balance Header” _builder_version=”3.0.62″ background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” text_font_size=”18″ text_text_color=”#7d78b9″ border_style=”solid” custom_padding=”50px|||”]\r\n\r\nBalance problems caused by injury\r\n\r\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.62″ background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” border_style=”solid”]\r\n\r\nOf course, joint balance, or proprioception, isn\u2019t just a problem for the elderly. It can also be lost following an injury such as a sprained ankle, which leads to the ankle becoming weak and more prone to new sprains. That\u2019s why proprioception\/balance exercises following a lower limb injury are essential to prevent recurring injuries.<\/span>\r\n\r\nSo, clients of any age can benefit from regular balance training and exercise, allowing you to move more freely and confidently with more strength and energy.<\/span>\r\n\r\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”How Header” _builder_version=”3.0.62″ background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” text_font_size=”18″ text_text_color=”#7d78b9″ border_style=”solid” custom_padding=”50px|||”]\r\n\r\nHow does the body maintain its balance?\r\n\r\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.62″ background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” border_style=”solid”]\r\n\r\nA number of complex systems contribute to your body\u2019s ability to balance. The system for controlling balance, and the one we\u2019re probably most aware of because it gets taught in schools, is the vestibular system \u2013 basically, your inner ear.<\/span>\r\n\r\nFluid and hairs inside your ear canals detect your movement and orientation, sending the information to the brain. Vision and touch also play an important role in monitoring balance.<\/span>\r\n\r\nTo actually maintain your body relies on good core muscle strength to support your spine, which is why it is so important to exercise your core regularly. This is where your physiotherapist can give you the best exercises to build up core strength in the most efficient way.<\/span>\r\n\r\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”How improve Header” _builder_version=”3.0.62″ background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” text_font_size=”18″ text_text_color=”#7d78b9″ border_style=”solid” custom_padding=”50px|||”]\r\n\r\nHow do I improve my balance (some exercises that will help)?\r\n\r\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.62″ background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” border_style=”solid”]\r\n\r\nThere are many easy ways in which to improve your own balance, whether it\u2019s by joining a class activity or adding some balance exercises to your daily routine.<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe ancient Chinese practice of Tai Chi has been found to improve balance as its slow, controlled movements strengthen the body. Holding poses also allows you to practice balancing. As an added bonus, Tai Chi also focuses the mind and leaves you feeling calm and refreshed.<\/span>\r\n\r\nHowever, if it\u2019s not really your thing, here are a number of regular exercises to improve your balance rapidly:<\/span>\r\n