FITNESS AND BALANCE… WHAT DOES ONE HAVE TO DO WITH THE OTHER?

Coming in from the rain and slipping on your tile floor is a common accident in Florida that can leave your world literally upside down. Losing your balance can be frightening and leave you with a painful injury, not to mention large medical bills. Balance –the ability to control and maintain your body’s position as it moves through space –is a part of everyone’s daily life yet few of us ever give it much thought. That is until you fall. Injury, disease and aging are some of the main causes of balance problems. Statistically 1 in 4 adults over age 65 will fall next year. Decreasing your risk and improving your general health and mobility is important.

Your muscles, bones and brain work together to maintain your body’s balance and keep you upright. They do this by relying on three types of sensory stimuli: visual, somatosensory (tells you where your body is in space independent of vision) and vistibular or “your inner ear”. You have good balance when all three of these elements are working together with your muscularskeletal system to keep you mobile and prevent falls.

There are many reasons why your balance can become impaired some of which you can control. Strength, endurance, flexibility, and posture are all crucial in maintaining balance and preventing falls. This is where fitness begins to play a role. You can be at risk for falls if your muscles are weak or stiff, or if you tire easily. Older adults –particularly those with osteoporosis –have very legitimate concerns about falling and often restrict their activity level to prevent such mishap. Ironically, lack of exercise only makes it more likely that a fall will occur –and a viscous cycle has been put into motion.

Fortunately, physical therapy and/or fitness training can help you achieve and maintain higher levels of strength, flexibility and endurance through a safe, personal program. Finding out exactly which area(s) you need improvement in can be determined by taking our fitness test, which consist of: vital signs, strength, flexibility, endurance, balance and posture.

In celebration of National Physical Therapy Month, Fit For Life’s physical therapy clinic is now open and accepting patients via Medicare or private pay. The fitness center has been open since March and is available to the general public. Come in and get a fitness test or take a tour of our facility. We look forward to meeting your needs and helping you maintain better balance in your life!

Carol Glasscock, PT, MSPT

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