Physical Therapy & Yoga - you can improve your balance.

[Raingrrl]

I have been frustrated by my impaired balance for a long time because it has caused me many falls. Luckily I’m old enough that the scars now blend in to some wrinkles. 😄

The last catastrophic fall almost took out an eye. I have a lovely scar through my right eyebrow to remind me of it every day. This fall scared me into trying to do something about my crappy balance. My neuro referred me to physical therapy and told me to also take yoga or tai chi. I signed up for yoga.

I’ve been doing both for about a month and can see a difference. The therapist keeps track of how I’m doing so we objectively measure the improvement. It’s proof that you can change things because of neuro plasticity. The damage in my brain is still there but these two things are helping me “rewire” around it. It was really hard and frustrating at first but little by little I’ve see positive change. It’s exciting to know that a 60+ year-old can improve even after 20 years of MS!

I’m sharing this example so you all know that you can improve. MS doesn’t always have to have the last word.

[erash]

I do both yoga and tai chi each week (free classes at senior center) and my balance has improved tenfold. After yoga class, I walk so normally it amazes me 😊

Keep at it! Yay! for brain plasticity 👍

[falalalala in reply to erash]

How long have you been doing this?

[erash in reply to falalalala]

2 yrs now

[falalalala in reply to erash]

I really need to get back to it.Even a short daily practice would beneficial, I think.I was told minimally to do sun salutations.

[rjoneslaw in reply to erash]

I'm about to add yoga to my tia chi routine next month

[CalfeeChick CommunityAmbassador]

Wow! That's great news and thank you for sharing. It encourages me to get back at it. I was doing Chair yoga, but stopped while I was in New York in May. One thing that happened in NY... I took my folding cane and with all the stairs up and down, the cane became a nuisance so I folded it, put into my suitcase and have not used a cane since then! My balance is slowly improving.😊👍

[falalalala in reply to CalfeeChick]

Great!

[Raingrrl in reply to CalfeeChick]

I have been able to go up and down stairs more easily too. If I had known that I could improve my balance like this, I might not have sold my 2 story house to move where I am now.

[falalalala]

This is very inspiring!

[erash in reply to falalalala]

Yeh...I’m probably the only one in my yoga class that gets tears (of amazement) in her eyes when she is able to balance on 1 leg

[falalalala in reply to erash]

They're missing out

[CalfeeChick CommunityAmbassador in reply to erash]

Awesome, Too bad they don't realize everything you accomplished to balance on one leg!

[greaterexp]

I’m so glad you shared your triumph!

[Raingrrl in reply to greaterexp]

I’m sharing it to hopefully encourage others. I was unaware that I could improve like this.

[jimeka]

Thank you Raingrrl for telling us, I will make a determined effort. It’s worth trying. Being 60+ myself this gives me encouragement, blessings Jimeka 🤗

[goatgal]

This does make a difference! I passed mile marker 79 last month and, a year after the fall that broke my ankle in several places, I am walking better than I have in years. I'm stiff and creaky every morning, but as I begin moving, the joints loosen, muscles and tendons begin to work and I feel strong. It's no miracle cure, but boy howdy is it an improvement!!!

[janetb1968]

That’s definitely given me some encouragement to try and improve my crap balance, well done honey xxxxxx ❣️

[lbenmaor in reply to janetb1968]

I've been doing balance exercises that I found on the computer-

Silver Sneakers Balance exercises. It's truly helped my balance.

Check it out and let me know what you think.

Best Wishes,

Leslie

[janetb1968 in reply to lbenmaor]

Thanks honey I’ll have a look xxx ❤️

[lbenmaor in reply to janetb1968]

Let me know what you think of them.

[carolek572 CommunityAmbassador]

Hurray! Thank you for this positive post about yoga and balance. I have been doing a bit of yoga but not enough. I will resume because I do not like being prone to falling.

[bxrmom]

That's great news Raingrrl So happy for you!

[Wallsocket]

Wow!!! TONS of ENCOURAGEMENT! I’ve been thinking of doing that quite frequently. Also I’ve been on the wahl’s protocol diet since early June. I’ve lost 20lbs (with no effort on my part) and I’m feeling great!

[Raingrrl in reply to Wallsocket]

Congrats on the weight loss Wallsocket ! I changed up my eating a couple of years ago and lost over 25lbs. Makes a big difference! Especially since I’m 5ft tall. I’ve been following my own “program” based on things I’ve read and not only lost the weight but have kept it off. I’ve been exercising regularly and now have added the yoga to that. PT is only temporary but I’ll probably have to keep up the exercises they’ve given me so I don’t lose ground. All this effort is worth it though.

[Wallsocket]

Way to go Raingrrl! I hope to get started on exercising in the very near future. Thank you for the encouragement! 👍