Balance Issues?

Many people, especially as they age, notice that their balance isn’t what it used to be. You may notice that you feel more unsteady while walking, find it challenging to maintain your balance when you bend to pick something up, or find it hard to steady yourself when changing positions such as from sitting to standing. 

If you’ve experience any of this, you may have some balance issues that need addressed! Poor balance can lead to decreased activity levels, compensation with the way you move, and can also lead to falls and injury. Getting assessed by a physical therapist would be the best recommendation because they can tailor an individual program that will address your specific weaknesses and balance issues; however, there are a few basic exercises that may help you start to work on things on your own! 

Note: to avoid falling, you should always perform these exercises in a safe environment just in case you lose balance, such as standing at a counter. 

Exercise 1: Tandem stance balance  

Place one foot directly in front of the other. Your knees should be slightly bent and your weight evenly distributed. Try to balance for 20-30 seconds, and then switch feet positions. Repeat 2-3 times. 

Exercise 2: Single Leg balance 

Slowly lift 1 leg up so that you are balancing on one foot. Try to balance for 20-30 seconds and then switch feet. Repeat 2-3 times. 

These are just a few simple exercises that don’t take much time to complete, and can begin to help you work on improving your balance. If you have concerns about your balance or strength, or if you’ve experienced falls or mishaps, contact your physical therapy for a balance and strength screening! It’s never too late to improve your health and physical abilities.