Balance Problem? Test Your Own Balance!
4 Simple Tests to Find Out
Balance means different things to different people. Test your own balance today!
To a 5-year old, testing your own balance means learning to ride a bike without training wheels.
For an adult, balance means successfully catching yourself, as you’re carrying an armload of groceries, after tripping over the bike that the 5-year old left laying in the driveway.
As an older adult, balance can be as simple as staying upright as you walk or regaining your footing without falling if you stumble.
Good balance is extremely important for an older person in maintaining their independence, a common fear expressed by our elderly patients.
Falling and breaking a bone, especially in the hip, knee, foot, or ankle, often leads to the loss of independence and in some cases, even death.
Fortunately, early attention to the problem can help you maintain good balance throughout your life. Testing your own balance will tell you if you need help!
Balance Can Be Complex! Test your balance below!
Once you hit your 40s, maintaining balance can get a bit tricky. But don’t worry! Adding balance training to your workout routine is crucial for overall well-being.
Balancing exercises are just as essential as cardio, strength, and flexibility workouts. They all work together to enhance your stability and reaction to challenges.
Your balance can be affected by various factors like medications, inner ear problems, vision issues, and blood pressure. But fear not! Physical therapy focuses on muscles, bones, joints, and nerves, promoting excellent balance.
Check out below this easy balance test you can perform at home to test your own balance and sign up for 3 others that we use in our physical therapy clinics!
Below are 4 simple balance tests you can do at home to test your own balance.
If you experience any trouble while performing these tests, please visit your physical therapist for a more comprehensive evaluation and see your doctor for a full check up.
Part 1 - 1-Leg Standing Balance Test
This is pretty self explanatory. Stand on 1 leg without holding onto anything. Normal balance is one minute, less than 30 seconds will need some work.
Get Instant Access to Your Next 3 Balance Tests, FREE:
FAQs
- Why is balance important?
Balance is very important for anyone to maintain and not fall frequently as we age as we have established in the article. Balance is important in executing daily tasks without falling or losing ones stability. - How can I improve my balance?
Fitness exercises should also entail balance for instance, walking on heels to toes, standing on one leg in addition to balance boards. It’s possible to achieve significant enhancement in steadiness through practice.
- How frequently do I need to check for my balance?
Several changes and conditions can make it important to check your balance occasionally – especially if you feel unsteady. You should also continue testing to see the progress and if there are problems, they can be easily detected.
- How does physical therapist help in enhancing balance?
For muscle and coordination development and for balance problems due to some medical condition, you can perhaps attend physical therapy. It is therefore recommended that the patient consults a physical therapist in order to be recommended on exercises and techniques that will improve balance. - Having difficulty with any of these balance tests? Should you consult your physician for advice or treatment?
If you feel unsteady, or have difficulty with these tests, you should see your doctor for a check-up and a physical therapist for an assessment. - Does medication cause balance problems?
Admittedly, some drugs do off-balance your equilibrium in some manner. Consult with your healthcare sponsor about any doubts you may have in other to establish any alterations or alternatives.