balance [was Re: NEUROfest]

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/14/2006 1:34:04 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, theturtlemoves@... writes:

I have problems sometimes with balance, but I am not sure what the cause of it is. I had always thought it related to my generally clumsiness, but maybe it is not. Sometimes I have problems with depth perception and judging how close things are. Sometimes when I am going down stairs the stairs do not look right and it is difficult for me to tell where each individual stair is. This is expecially a problem if it is somewhat shadowy, such as at night but with streetlights. I am not sure if the other two - inner ear and proprieceptive are an issue for me.

Ilah

My balance is fairly good at least in terms of catching myself if I start to fall or slip.

Here is something that might help with balance. Stand near a chair so you can hold on to or grab it if need be. Then close your eyes and raise one foot just enough that it isn't touching the floor. This challenges the brain because the visual cues for balance are gone. See how long you can hold it for. Then repeat with the other foot. Do this a few times each day and you might see some improvement. I've been doing this for a few months and I can often reach 30 seconds.

Regular exercise, especially weight training, also helps with balance. It doesn't have to be heavy weight, just basic free-weight exercises are the best.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/14/2006 1:34:04 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, theturtlemoves@... writes:

I have problems sometimes with balance, but I am not sure what the cause of it is. I had always thought it related to my generally clumsiness, but maybe it is not. Sometimes I have problems with depth perception and judging how close things are. Sometimes when I am going down stairs the stairs do not look right and it is difficult for me to tell where each individual stair is. This is expecially a problem if it is somewhat shadowy, such as at night but with streetlights. I am not sure if the other two - inner ear and proprieceptive are an issue for me.

Ilah

My balance is fairly good at least in terms of catching myself if I start to fall or slip.

Here is something that might help with balance. Stand near a chair so you can hold on to or grab it if need be. Then close your eyes and raise one foot just enough that it isn't touching the floor. This challenges the brain because the visual cues for balance are gone. See how long you can hold it for. Then repeat with the other foot. Do this a few times each day and you might see some improvement. I've been doing this for a few months and I can often reach 30 seconds.

Regular exercise, especially weight training, also helps with balance. It doesn't have to be heavy weight, just basic free-weight exercises are the best.

[Guest guest]

I was just told by my podiatrist to walk for atleast 40 minutes in bare feet to help my balance, and to strengthen my feet to keep me from breaking them. Last year I broke a bone in my foot 3 different times, different bones, and different feet, all when I was wearing shoes. BethVISIGOTH@... wrote: In a message dated 1/14/2006 1:34:04 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, theturtlemoves@... writes: I have problems sometimes with balance, but I am not sure what the cause of it is. I had always

thought it related to my generally clumsiness, but maybe it is not. Sometimes I have problems with depth perception and judging how close things are. Sometimes when I am going down stairs the stairs do not look right and it is difficult for me to tell where each individual stair is. This is expecially a problem if it is somewhat shadowy, such as at night but with streetlights. I am not sure if the other two - inner ear and proprieceptive are an issue for me. Ilah My balance is fairly good at least in terms of catching myself if I start to fall or slip. Here is something that might help with balance. Stand near a chair so you can hold on to or grab it if need be. Then close your eyes and raise one foot just enough that it isn't touching the floor. This challenges the brain because the visual cues for balance are gone. See

how long you can hold it for. Then repeat with the other foot. Do this a few times each day and you might see some improvement. I've been doing this for a few months and I can often reach 30 seconds. Regular exercise, especially weight training, also helps with balance. It doesn't have to be heavy weight, just basic free-weight exercises are the best.

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[Guest guest]

I was just told by my podiatrist to walk for atleast 40 minutes in bare feet to help my balance, and to strengthen my feet to keep me from breaking them. Last year I broke a bone in my foot 3 different times, different bones, and different feet, all when I was wearing shoes. BethVISIGOTH@... wrote: In a message dated 1/14/2006 1:34:04 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, theturtlemoves@... writes: I have problems sometimes with balance, but I am not sure what the cause of it is. I had always

thought it related to my generally clumsiness, but maybe it is not. Sometimes I have problems with depth perception and judging how close things are. Sometimes when I am going down stairs the stairs do not look right and it is difficult for me to tell where each individual stair is. This is expecially a problem if it is somewhat shadowy, such as at night but with streetlights. I am not sure if the other two - inner ear and proprieceptive are an issue for me. Ilah My balance is fairly good at least in terms of catching myself if I start to fall or slip. Here is something that might help with balance. Stand near a chair so you can hold on to or grab it if need be. Then close your eyes and raise one foot just enough that it isn't touching the floor. This challenges the brain because the visual cues for balance are gone. See

how long you can hold it for. Then repeat with the other foot. Do this a few times each day and you might see some improvement. I've been doing this for a few months and I can often reach 30 seconds. Regular exercise, especially weight training, also helps with balance. It doesn't have to be heavy weight, just basic free-weight exercises are the best.

Photos Ring in the New Year with Photo Calendars. Add photos, events, holidays, whatever.

[Guest guest]

Ilah:

> I have problems sometimes with balance, but I am not sure what the cause of it is. I had always thought it related to my generally clumsiness, but maybe it is not. Sometimes I have problems with depth perception and judging how close things are. Sometimes when I am going down stairs the stairs do not look right and it is difficult for me to tell where each individual stair is. This is expecially a problem if it is somewhat shadowy, such as at night but with streetlights. I am not sure if the other two - inner ear and proprieceptive are an issue for me.

Have you had your ears checked? Did you used to have ear infections as a kid? Do you have any auditory problems?

The dept perception problem sounds a bit like scotopic sensitivity. It might also be related to women in general having poorer night vision and instead better color vision. My eyesight gets dramatically poorer towards dusk.

Inger

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 2/17/2006 3:14:03 PM Eastern Standard Time, inglori@... writes:

Have you had your ears checked? Did you used to have ear infections as a kid? Do you have any auditory problems?

I don't so much have balance problems as sensitivity to motion sickness. The specialist that I saw told me that it probably was related to all the ear infections I had as a child. Other than that, my balance is usually ok, but that doesn't mean I'll ever be a tight rope walker.

What has helped my balance was working with freeweights and only doing exercises that I could do standing up. These exercises forced my body to coordinate better and helped balance. It seems to be more passive than active though. By that I mean if I slip or lose my balance a little, by body can usually catch itself before I actually fall.

Something else that has helped is this exercise. Stand by a chair or table to use for balance if needed. Close your eyes and raise one foot just a little off the ground. Try to hold that for 25 seconds. This is supposed to be a test of brain function but is also related to balance. I figure that, like so much else, if you practice the exercise, it should improve what it is testing. After doing this almost daily for a few months, It isn't that hard for me to reach 25 seconds anymore, though after that point if gets harder faster to stay up.

[Guest guest]

I'll have to try that.

Also remember an exercise Archit told me about. (He used to climb mountains and hang-glide and stuff.) The exercise was to stand in the shower on only one leg, with the foot of the other leg pulled up against your thigh (if I remember correctly). And to do this every day for longer and longer periods of time. This improves balance according to him.

Inger

Re: Re: balance [was Re: NEUROfest]

In a message dated 2/17/2006 3:14:03 PM Eastern Standard Time, inglori@... writes:

Have you had your ears checked? Did you used to have ear infections as a kid? Do you have any auditory problems?I don't so much have balance problems as sensitivity to motion sickness. The specialist that I saw told me that it probably was related to all the ear infections I had as a child. Other than that, my balance is usually ok, but that doesn't mean I'll ever be a tight rope walker. What has helped my balance was working with freeweights and only doing exercises that I could do standing up. These exercises forced my body to coordinate better and helped balance. It seems to be more passive than active though. By that I mean if I slip or lose my balance a little, by body can usually catch itself before I actually fall. Something else that has helped is this exercise. Stand by a chair or table to use for balance if needed. Close your eyes and raise one foot just a little off the ground. Try to hold that for 25 seconds. This is supposed to be a test of brain function but is also related to balance. I figure that, like so much else, if you practice the exercise, it should improve what it is testing. After doing this almost daily for a few months, It isn't that hard for me to reach 25 seconds anymore, though after that point if gets harder faster to stay up.

[Guest guest]

I think it was because in the shower one us usually enclosed by walls -

unless one showers in the tub of course. I see the point about the wetness

though. :-) I don't think his advice was meant for those with more serious

balance problems, just to improve balance if you're a mountaineer.

Inger

balance [was Re: NEUROfest]

Speaking as someone with inner ear problems, practicing inside a

shower (at least where you have the chance to actually fall: a bathtub

is too roomy) is absolutely insane to practice standing on one foot:

should you lose your balance, you might not be able to catch it before

falling or slipping on soap or something else, and not only that, but

you'd be (most likely) wet and naked and hurt! This assumes, of

course, that you do this sort of practice in a shower/bathtub when

you're wet, like most people that aren't cleaning them would be.

Outside of all that, unless you have a huge bathroom, there's too high

of a probability that if you fall, you'll fall and land (or at least

have your meeting with the lowest point in the room) on something like

a toilet, sink, vanity, or whatever.

> >

> > I'll have to try that.

> >

> > Also remember an exercise Archit told me about. (He used to climb

> mountains and hang-glide and stuff.) The exercise was to stand in the

> shower on only one leg, with the foot of the other leg pulled up

> against your thigh (if I remember correctly). And to do this every

> day for longer and longer periods of time. This improves balance

> according to him.

> >

> > Inger

> >

>

FAM Secret Society is a community based on respect, friendship, support and

acceptance. Everyone is valued.

Don't forget, there are links to other FAM sites on the Links page in the

folder marked " Other FAM Sites. "

[Guest guest]

Yes, that's the one.

Inger

balance [was Re: NEUROfest]

Not sure doing this in the shower would be a good idea, the exercise

sounds like a yoga one? The one I am thinking about is where foot is

up against inner thigh with knee pointing out to side.

>

> I'll have to try that.

>

> Also remember an exercise Archit told me about. (He used to climb

mountains and hang-glide and stuff.) The exercise was to stand in the

shower on only one leg, with the foot of the other leg pulled up

against your thigh (if I remember correctly). And to do this every

day for longer and longer periods of time. This improves balance

according to him.

>

> Inger

>

FAM Secret Society is a community based on respect, friendship, support and

acceptance. Everyone is valued.

Don't forget, there are links to other FAM sites on the Links page in the

folder marked " Other FAM Sites. "

[Guest guest]

In comparison, I suppose a wet shower or even a tub is theoretically

safer than practicing on the side of a mountain, since the most you'll

fall (short of a weird setup) is 6 feet from head to hitting

something... it doesn't eliminate the risk of serious injury or death,

but it may still be much lower compared to falling off the side of a

mountain

> > >

> > > I'll have to try that.

> > >

> > > Also remember an exercise Archit told me about. (He used to climb

> > mountains and hang-glide and stuff.) The exercise was to stand in the

> > shower on only one leg, with the foot of the other leg pulled up

> > against your thigh (if I remember correctly). And to do this every

> > day for longer and longer periods of time. This improves balance

> > according to him.

> > >

> > > Inger

> > >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

> FAM Secret Society is a community based on respect, friendship,

support and

> acceptance. Everyone is valued.

>

> Don't forget, there are links to other FAM sites on the Links page

in the

> folder marked " Other FAM Sites. "

>

[Guest guest]

Right, LOL! :-)

Inger

balance [was Re: NEUROfest]

In comparison, I suppose a wet shower or even a tub is theoretically

safer than practicing on the side of a mountain, since the most you'll

fall (short of a weird setup) is 6 feet from head to hitting

something... it doesn't eliminate the risk of serious injury or death,

but it may still be much lower compared to falling off the side of a

mountain

> > >

> > > I'll have to try that.

> > >

> > > Also remember an exercise Archit told me about. (He used to climb

> > mountains and hang-glide and stuff.) The exercise was to stand in the

> > shower on only one leg, with the foot of the other leg pulled up

> > against your thigh (if I remember correctly). And to do this every

> > day for longer and longer periods of time. This improves balance

> > according to him.

> > >

> > > Inger

> > >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

> FAM Secret Society is a community based on respect, friendship,

support and

> acceptance. Everyone is valued.

>

> Don't forget, there are links to other FAM sites on the Links page

in the

> folder marked " Other FAM Sites. "

>