Don't give up on improving your balance

I walked into my client's home yesterday and this was what he said to me, "I quit, I'm not going to do this training anymore".  "I can't do this, my balance won't improve".  "This isn't helping me, my balance isn't getting any better".   His wife just shook her head.

I reminded him that this was our third balance and mobility training session and that noticeable improvement takes time.  And practice!  He has a medical condition and he takes 19 (yes, 19) medications each day.  This obviously affects his balance.  As I mention in my book, "The Complete Guide to Fall Prevention™", I suggested that he take all his medications to his pharmacist and for a comprehensive review to check drug-drug interactions, expiration dates, to ask about side effects and the target organ of each medication affects.

I also suggested that he relax and give his body some time to react to these new demands, afterall, Rome wasn't built in a day.  He didn't lose his balance overnight so it's not going to come back after 3 training sessions and little practice.  (He admitted he hadn't practiced the exercises).

We went on with our training session and he did awesome.  He showed better postural control during the seated multi-sensory exercises and total body control during the standing weight shifts.  His walking gait had improved quite a bit since last week (thanks to his wife and her daily walks) and he even "stepped" out of his comfort zone and practiced regaining his balance.

He said his balance "definitely wasn't what it used to be" but not to give up on him yet!  I laughed and told him not to give up on HIMSELF!  He is living with a medical condition that is beyond his control, the medications are affecting his balance and his body has changed over the years. 

The moral:  GIVE IT TIME and KEEP PRACTICING.  Balance is a motor skill and your body will adapt to the new demands of balance training.   But like other skills, you have to practice to get better!  Hang in there, do something, don't give up.

Keeping you upright,
The Fall Prevention Lady™
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