Balance keeps you on your feet. Stability and balance facilitates you walking safely on narrow uneven or slippery surfaces. Equilibrium and balance helps you understand where you are in space. Move more and build balance as part of your recovery plan.
As a side effect of Lyme disease in my mid 50’s I tested off the charts for poor balance. My ability to balance on one leg was less time than the average 95 year old. Kind of depressing with no sign of getting better.
My Lyme disease disabled my balance stability and equilibrium. I would walk into walls because I couldn’t walk a straight line. Thank goodness I never had to pass an old fashioned sobriety test.
Balance and depth perception issues had me missing curbs and tripping over my own feet all the time. My husband started saying “curb” and grabbing my elbow to prepare me.
Balance Crucial For Health
Balancing happens minute to minute in movement. Adjustment flows from information our body feeds our brain. Poor stability leads to a future with falls easy and debilitating. Falls are a devastating and dangerous for older Americans. Difficulty with walking and balance is the 3rd top cause for falls.
Move More is one of the areas of self care for recovering from Lyme disease. Appropriate movement helps the body heal in a number of ways. The types of movement include, building, flexibility, aerobic and balance.
All these activities translates to functional living strength to carry groceries, do laundry and yard work. Build balance to trip and recover instead of falling. If you walk everyday you maintain the ability to walk and build a strong healthy heart and healthy metabolism.
Take Precautions While You Build Balance
If you know that core stability is not high, consider gentle and supportive exercise to build balance back up. Quit downhill skiing, skating and paddle boarding until you feel more in touch with the strength and balance necessary for these activities. In the meantime add some self care and cautions to help keep you on your feet.
- Stretch and roll out your feet
- Use Rails on stairs
- Place a hand on the wall as you walk
- Slow your pace at curbs
- Put a small flashlight on your key chain so you can light your path.
- Wear flat nonskid shoes
Add Basic Balance Exercises
Use Basic balance exercises to strengthen and teach your body if Lyme has hurt your basic stability. Simple things like standing at your dresser hand on for support and gently lifting one foot get stable then the other foot. I practice this holding on to the cart in the line at the supermarket. Make a game of walking heal to toe, like you are walking a tight rope. When you feel ready, join a class like Yoga, Barre or Pilates.
Yoga teaches balance but it may be a little advanced depending on your fitness level. Barre and Pilates add core strength that is an essential component to moving with stability. I needed to start in gentle classes, but both Yoga and Pilates helped a lot. I still use support for balancing postures.
Even though you may not be a senior, exercises to support balance for seniors can help. Talk with your health care team if you are struggling with balance and stability. Get the support you need to move more, stay strong and mobile.
The purpose of this blog is to share and educate on Lyme disease recovery strategies. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional medical care, treatment or advice. All the material here is for information purposes only. Always share strategy and work with your health care team.