At Sarum, we’re celebrating Balance Awareness Week, which was created to raise awareness of Vestibular Disorders.

The vestibular system includes the parts of the inner ear and brain that help control balance and eye movements. If the system is damaged by disease, ageing, or injury vestibular disorders can result. And is often associated with Vertigo and dizziness.

Balance can be taken for granted and ‘unbalance’ might not be because of a vestibular disorder.

  • Have you noticed that you or someone you love is not quite so steady on their feet?
  • Have you lost your confidence when wearing heels, not feeling as steady as you used to?
  • Is standing on one foot in an exercise class a wobble?

As we age balance can be lost.

But there is plenty you can do and it’s never too late to start.

Providing your balance is NOT due to a Vestibular Disorder you might be out of alignment or perhaps your feet need a little attention.

Your core may require strengthening or muscles simply need a workout. Yoga and Pilates are excellent for improving and strengthening your core, which is essential for better balance and posture.

The key is to do something every day and that isn’t us telling you to sign up to a daily class. No. Bruce Forsyth (showing our age here as usual) was known to take some form of exercise or activity every day and he was very agile.

It’s not just us oldies that suffer.

Little people can start life with balance challenges. It’s why we’re so excited to have Alex Beck on the team,  our very own Physiotherapist specialising in the assessment and treatment of children.

Older children can discover balance issues when they begin taking sport more seriously. The same can be said for dance and ballet comes to mind, which is why we’re so lucky at Sarum to have Isabel Howse who specialises in dance injuries.

Believe it or not, balance can start deteriorating in your 20’s – I know scary.

Happily and as already stated it’s never too late. So if your twenties are long behind you fear not you can start improving your balance today.

The NHS shares some very simple exercise that you can do at home and you can find them here.

All you have to do is start.

Whether that is doing exercises at home. Joining a class to strengthen your lower limbs or concentrating on your core with Pilates.

If you’re worried about an old injury that is preventing you from ‘starting’ we are here to make sure that doesn’t happen. And will have you standing on one foot whenever the fancy takes you. No matter your age, if you’re active or would like to be we have a specialist to suit. And will create exercises tailored to meet your need and to suit your lifestyle.

Call 01722 415 055 to make an appointment and let’s get you back on the field, in those heels or simply standing straight (on one foot if you like).

Balance Awareness Week – September 15th to 21st September.