Balance issues affect millions of people every year. This is especially true with regard to the older members of society. Fortunately, there are several ways that you can improve your balance and coordination, one of these ways being chiropractic care.
In this article, we will examine the topic of balance and coordination and demonstrate how chiropractic care can be the perfect option for those looking to improve in these areas of health.
Balance Explained
Balance is a complex phenomenon involving many different systems of the body.Our current understanding of balance indicates that we rely primarily on three different mechanisms to maintain our equilibrium.
First and foremost, we use our vision to help us balance. Our eyes enable us to see our surroundings, and our brain uses this information to keep us upright.
Secondly, we rely on processes within the vestibular system, found in the inner ear. This unique system involves complex yet tiny canals filled with fluid and sensory receptors. When the fluid moves from one portion of a canal to another, our brain senses this and adjusts our balance accordingly.
Lastly, we use our muscular system in order to maintain our balance. Small sensors in our feet and elsewhere in the body give us clues as to our position in space. If we are about to fall over, our muscles react by contracting in specific ways, keeping us from falling.
Keeping all of these systems strong and healthy is one of the best ways to prevent falls.
How to Improve Balance
In this section, we’ll review some of the top fall prevention strategies. It should go without saying, but if you’re noticing a sudden decrease in balance or are experiencing dizziness with no known cause, you should consult with a medical professional immediately. However, if you’re just looking for some ways to address mild balance deficits, these recommendations are for you!
Increasing Strength and Endurance
One of the best ways to improve balance is by getting stronger. As we mentioned in the previous section, the muscular system is critical for our balance. Therefore, keeping all of the muscles of the body strong goes a long way toward preventing falls.
Furthermore, increasing your cardiovascular and muscular endurance with activities such as walking can help you stay balanced on your feet throughout the day.
Exercise truly is the best medicine!
Get Your Eyes Checked Regularly
Vision is critical for good balance. Therefore, you should be sure that your glasses prescription is up to date, and that you are taking care of your eyes.
Practice Balancing
As silly as it may sound, simply practicing balancing can go a long way toward improving your balance in daily life.
You can do this in a variety of ways. However, be certain that you are safe while you do so. Make sure that you clear out a space so that, if you should fall or stumble, you won’t injure yourself.
Simple balance exercises such as standing on one leg for as long as you can and walking as if you’re on a tightrope are perfect for improving balance!
Chiropractic Care for Balance
Interestingly, chiropractic care can help a lot with balance.
Because the nervous system is involved with every process in the body, it is, of course, heavily related to balance. Therefore, if you have any subluxations or other issues in your spine, a chiropractor can correct these problems, which can lead to better balance.
Are you or a loved one suffering from balance-related issues? If so, you should investigate chiropractic care! Our expert team at At Last Chiropractic, the best chiropractors in Lithia, FL can help you right now! Book your first session today.
