A few readers shared that they passed the blog on to friends who laughed when they saw it and said “Come on, I can do that!” Guess what? Several could not! And several were under 60 and in disbelief! Our bodies change over time and the saying “move it or lose it” is no joke. What was once effortless is now difficult! Things have become disconnected in a sense. Why this happens and how to fix it depends on the individual but there are a few things I can share that might help you not only gain better balance but also positively impact your spine health, your confidence performing everyday activities and your energy level!
Performing the single leg balance daily in some form (at a counter or hands free, with eyes open or closed) is great! What if it is not getting easier? How can you get better? One factor is the feedback your foot gives your ankle/knee/hip/core. Dr Emily Splichal calls this foot to core connectivity. So it makes sense to look start by looking at your feet.
Balance and Feet
Your feet have a lot to do with everything above them. Unhappy feet can cause ankle pain, lower leg pain, knee pain, hip pain and back pain. Factors that affect your feet are obesity, joint stiffness, being out of shape, poor foot wear and genetics. There lies the vicious cycle: You can’t move well if your feet are sore but not moving makes your feet worse! Help!!
The very first thing I recommend to people with difficulty with balance or complaints of stiff or sore feet is to roll the soles of your feet with a tennis ball. 1 minute per day. Keep a tennis ball next to your bed (or even tucked next to your pillow :)).
Try to do it right when you wake up in the morning. If you forget you can do it before bed that night. A nice set of myofascial release balls is he RAD ball set. Go to purchase.
P.S. If you have a history of plantar fasciitis, make the morning rolling a priority. Plantar fasciitis can become chronic because we re-injure the fascia every morning when we step out of bed. Rolling the sole of the foot before walking around can help you heal and help you avoid re-injury.