United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Well, it finally happened. I was dusting my house and lost my balance. My pants hooked onto a hope chest I have in my living room and I landed right onto my left side (affected side).

Needless to say the first thing I thought of was oh my gosh what if I broke my arm. I hurt my wrist more than anything but did not break anything thank goodness.

I had to laugh of course afterwards but when I first fell I was very angry.

I couldn't believe I feel from dusting! ahhh....

Does anyone know of an exercise to help with a balance issue?

Thanks,
Rachel

Rachel,

To help our daughter with balance, we work on her core strength. On of the main ways we do this is by having her sit on an exercise disc while she plays or watches Baby Einstein videos.

The exercise disc is simply a round, inflatable disc that greatly resembles an inflatable dinner plate. It's slightly unstable, so Aria has to use her core to stabilize her sitting position. We've noticed a great reduction in how often she falls since we've started using this simple exercise.

I know she is much younger, but I wonder if this might work for you, as well?

I wish you luck finding a solution!!!

mica

Rachel
Horseback riding is great frankie started at 3 yrs old. Its called therapy riding and alot of farms do it for different disabilty's. In NJ it cost $25 an hr and helps your whole body learn to balance itself with unexpected movements from the horse. Its totally safe because you have a saftey belt on and two people walking on both sides of you. Its also very relaxing on a summer evening to get outside for some therapy.
Mare

Rachel,
Living in Montana should be easy to find a Theraputic Riding program, or just find someone to ride along side of you. BTW, the Motel in Livingston had a coral for horses for people staying over night there. I loved staying there when I went to Yellowstone 2 yrs ago!

HUGS,
Carolyn J

They do have a program here for horse therapy. A few kids at our school go to it. I should look into it.

I like the core idea too. I used to do pilates, I should try it again. I could always use a little core work abs..(if I could find them!!) he hehe...

Thanks everyone for your help.

Rachel

Rachel

Give up dusting... ok that won't work so get someone else to dust... hmmm that probably won't work either...

Go for the horse back riding... LOL..

PS... don't ever fall in front of me, I laugh when I fall. For some dumb reason I always think simple falls are funny. It's probably a nervous reaction but hey my nerves are kinda messed up.

Kath robpi/adult

Dustin saw a feldenkrais therapist and it greatly improved his stability. It was amaizing because the therapy looked mostly like a very soothing message. It really worked though.

Sue

Do you have one of those exercise balls? One of those big ones. If you even simply sit on it to watch t.v. you will use muscles you normally wouldn't. And if you wanted to you could more.

I love those exercise balls, they are tough at first but they really are wonderful for core exercises.

I like Kath's suggestion, don't dust. I think I'll tell my husband that one.

FYI...I ran into the wall today. I only run into it on my affected side. I feel so dumb when people see me do it, but oh well. I never said I was a ballet dancer.

-Traci

Oh dear God, I thought I was the only one who ran into walls! I do it too.. and I was coordinated.. just not on 2 feet! Put skates on me and I was fine.. or toe shoes! LOL

Marieke 32, LOBPI

Those darn wall, doorways and often other people just aim for my elbow... LOL... I just can't believe how many times a wall or doorway will attack me.
I don't understand why I pick my arm up while I walk because my arm can hang down straight. When I brush my teeth or comb my hair I noticed my robpi arm is up and elbow out... hmmm do they work together somehow? I thought it was strange the first time I notice my arm up and elbow out when using my unaffected arm...

I once whacked my right elbow so hard I almost fell.
Kath robpi/adult

As for the dusting... I wish I could take my own advice and not dust... LOL... I also wish I had been a bit lazier about housework in general. Maybe I would not have so many secondary injuries.