By Sarah Henning
Dorian Logan, physical therapist DPT at Lawrence and Baldwin Therapy Services, suggests a simple at-home test to see how you’re doing on balance.
Note: Be extra cautious while testing yourself and make sure someone else is nearby, just in case your balance isn’t what you thought it was. If you believe you have some instability, skip home testing all together and visit your doctor or physical therapist.
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Start by standing at your kitchen sink in flat shoes or bare feet.
Face the sink and place both hands on the lip of the sink.
Pick up one foot, so that you’re standing on a single leg with your hands on the sink.
Shut your eyes.
Carefully lift your hands off the sink, leaving them hovering close to the lip just in case you need to grab on.
See how long you can stand there before putting your leg down or grabbing the lip. There is no specific “goal” for time — it should be apparent to you if your balance could use improvement or professional help.
Lawrence resident Janney Burgess removes her hands from the chair in front of her during the exercise portion of a session on strength, balance and precautions against falling Feb. 9 at Meadowlark Estates. by Nick Krug
Tagged: balance aging falls
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