ANA Discussion Forum

Post-Treatment => Balance Issues => Topic started by: archana on October 31, 2009, 08:49:34 pm

Title: Balance exercises
Post by: archana on October 31, 2009, 08:49:34 pm

Hi All,

This is Archana's husband Raj.  Archana's doctor told us that she wouldn't need any physical therapy.  In this forum, I have seen a few references to balance exercises.  What are these exercises and where can I get more info on them?  Thanks in advance.

Title: Re: Balance exercises
Post by: tenai98 on November 01, 2009, 05:53:52 am

I wasnt given any balance exercise either. I made up my own....and of course the WII FIT helped as well.....I put a strip of masking tape down the hall and praticed walking heel to toe...also a piece of 2X4 on ground and used it as a balance beam....then I would turn on less and less lights to practice walking in the dark...so on and so forth
JO

Title: Re: Balance exercises
Post by: cin605 on November 01, 2009, 05:21:56 pm

Your local hospital probly has a vestub . rehab specialist.Ask your primary care about it.
At home i walk toward a focus point on the wall while turning my head back n forth....heel to toe...march in place.
I had some trouble w/ eye tracking.
I have also heard of people walking on foam.
Walking in general is very good.

Title: Re: Balance exercises
Post by: moe on November 02, 2009, 08:38:26 am

One of the best things for balance is just walking! Look straight ahead, not down (or is it the other way around?)
Baby steps, baby walks.....
I personally had no balance issues post op because I had already compensated from the other side. Weird I know. Tumor had been in there a tad too long....
Good luck to both of you.
Being able to just hold on to something like a loving,caring husband like YOU should do wonders too!
Maureen

Title: Re: Balance exercises
Post by: mandy721 on November 02, 2009, 10:16:13 am

Raj,
My husband had outpatient physical and vestibular therapy to work on balance issues.  We have a number of pages of exercises that I could scan and email to you or just pop them in the mail.  Let me know by personal message if you would like more information.
Mandy

Title: Re: Balance exercises
Post by: HeadCase2 on November 05, 2009, 07:03:32 am

Hi Raj,
  If you search the web for "Vestibular Retraining" or "Vestibular Retraining Exercises" you'll find various exercises.  For example the Cawthorne-Cooksey exercises at http://www.dizziness-and-balance.com/treatment/cawthorne.html .  Vestibular retraining physical therapists have developed several different approaches to vestibular retraining according to what aspect of the vestibular system is affected.   My vestibular retraining therpist started me out with eye exercises, and it then progressed to exercises with closed eyes and progressively more difficult foot positions, while standing in a corner to prevent falling over completely, along with head movements.
Regards,
  Rob

Title: Re: Balance exercises
Post by: Debbi on November 05, 2009, 02:47:29 pm

Hi Raj -

I'd echo what others have said - walking is one of the best ways to work on balance.  I also really like the WiiFit and yoga, and feel that both helped me post surgery.  My balance was never bad enough to require rehab, but was impaired enough that I noticed it.  The only times I really have problems now are when I'm tired, when there's a lot of motion going on around me, or when it is dark.  Oh, and when I hug people, I tend to tip forward, which is pretty funny.  ;D

Good luck!

Debbi

Title: Re: Balance exercises
Post by: Dr. Dean on November 22, 2009, 04:31:17 pm

Hi Raj:

If you want exercises that really work (they have worked exceptionally well for me over the past eight years).

Go to  http://www.personalityfinesse.com/pdfshow.php?pdf=12 (http://www.personalityfinesse.com/pdfshow.php?pdf=12)  and download the PDF.

Dean