Balance Alternatives
of any fall prevention program. The patient
needs to be healthy enough to do the exercises,
of course. How is their joint health? Is there
cardiovascular disease that could be a problem?
Obviously, no exercise program should be
recommended without the patient first having a
discussion with their physician to see if they can
participate in an exercise regimen.
Photo from: @iStock.com/shironosov
Balance exercises are the second part of our
alternative treatment for falls. These exercises
need to be performed in a safe manner for the
patient who is already a fall risk. Proprioceptive
exercises are also important, especially for the
patient with neuropathy. All of these may be
great ideas, and the pedorthist should absolutely
take part in the patient’s gait analysis, footwear
assessment, and need for orthoses of one type
or other. However, the actual exercise regimen
should be set up by a physical therapist,
exercise physiologist, or other equally qualified
practitioner.
Training the body and mind do not have to
be by military-style exercises. Recreational
activities such as dance, tai chi, and yoga are
great ways for our patients to gain leg and
core strength, work on their balance, and
on their proprioception all at the same time.
These patients often find they enjoy doing
such workouts because they do not feel like
the traditional “workout” (e.g., sit-ups and
leg presses). When these patients enjoy and
look forward to these classes, they are more
likely to continue attending them. That
means maintaining the strength, balance, and
proprioception they worked so hard to gain.
Everyone likes easy, but alternatives are nice too.
■
"Recreational activities
such as dance, tai chi,
and yoga are great ways
for our patients to gain leg
and core strength, work on
their balance, and on their
proprioception all at the
same time."
Current Pedorthics January/February 2016
19