Did you have a scare on some ice this season? Did you take a tumble while playing a club sport? Improved balance can prevent falls in both scenarios, which can lead to a reduction in injury. With that in mind, Core Physical Therapy would like to offer you five reasons to work on better balance:
1. Pain Reduction
Working on your balance goes beyond just strengthening leg muscles. It challenges your whole body to act as one unit, strengthening muscle groups that may not normally get a good workout. This can lead to improved posture, which can in turn lead to less back pain and a decreased risk of arthritis.
2. Improved Athleticism
We’re all seen the images of burly football players dancing in pink tutus. That’s because ballet is an excellent way to learn better balance, which is key to doing well on the field. Athletes who practice balance regularly see an improvement in their agility, quicker reaction times and overall better performance.
3. Longer life
Did you know that falls are the leading cause of injury and death for older Americans? With an improved balance, senior citizens can reduce their risk of a fall, which could in turn mean a longer life for them!
4. Reduced injury
Better balance is not just useful for senior citizens to avoid falls. It can help people of all ages avoid injuries. As we mentioned earlier, improving your balance can keep you from hurting yourself on icy sidewalks. Not only will it help you keep upright, it can also teach you how to fall so that if you do find yourself tumbling, you will instinctively hit the ground in the right way so as to do the least amount of damage possible.
5. Ease of Accessibility
The best part about working on better balance is how accessible it is! You don’t need any equipment to work on some of the more basic moves. To get started, all you need to do is find an even surface to stand on, close your eyes, and gradually lift one leg, holding it for 30 seconds. Switch to the other leg and do the same. For beginners, do this to each side three times, gradually adding more reps as you get better.
If you want help improving your balance, see the experts at Core Physical Therapy! In the state of Iowa, most insurance providers don’t require that you have a doctor’s note in order to make an appointment with a physical therapist. We look forward to putting you on the road to better health!