It’s almost BALANCE AWARENESS Week, so, tell me, Can You Stand on One Leg?
If you’re in a safe place to try it, go ahead, try to stand on one leg. How did you do? If it was very easy, try doing that with your eyes closed (as long as this is safe!)
Being able to stand on and balance with one leg is an important skill that most of us develop as we grow up and use throughout our lives. Think of all the activities which require you to stand on a single leg: walking, running, going up and down stairs (especially without a railing), stepping into the car, stepping over an obstacle, kicking a ball, dancing, putting on your pants while standing up, for example.
The ability to stand on one leg is something that a physical therapist examines in everyone from athletes to elders, from those with leg injuries to those who have had a concussion or dizziness. A multitude of core, hip, thigh, calf, and foot muscles work to keep you balanced on one foot and a weakness in any combination of these could lead to difficulty with this task.
Similarly, your vestibular system in your inner ear tells you how your head is moving so that you can make small corrections and keep your balance. When on one leg, your base of support is very small so there is less margin for error.
VEDA (the Vestibular Disorders Association) chose Fiona the Flaming, who likes to balance on one leg, to be the vestibular disorders mascot because flamingos are thought to be good at balancing.
If you have difficulty performing “single leg” activities, a physical therapist will be able to tell you why this is difficult and what you can do to improve your balance.
Dr. Greg Synnestvedt PT, DPT,
WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation,
Doylestown, PA.
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