Balance
Balance is an ability to maintain the center of gravity of a body within the base of support with minimal postural sway.
Keeping balance requires integration of inputs from multiple senses (including vision, perception of pressure and proprioception) with the motor system responsible for muscle actions. The senses must detect the change of the body position with respect to the base (whether the body moves or the base moves). The limit of stability of an individual standing quietly upright is defined as the amount of postural sway at which the balance is lost and the corrective actions are required.
As we age our ability to balance gets worse. The good news is that physical activity can improve balance and reduce the risk of falling. When your goal is to improve your balance you must improve both you ability to sense change and your ability to affect change in the body's position. There are many techniques used for improving balance. It is important to select balance-training exercises that are specific to activities that you do during the day. For example, you might want to do balance exercises on one leg that mimic the act of walking if you are unsteady while you walk. At 'physiotherapy + pilates evolved' we have exercise accessories specifically designed to improve balance. Our physiotherapists use their skill and knowledge, based on their previous experience, to work with you to strengthen your balancing skill. Pilates concepts are incorporated into prescribed exercise programmes and work particularly well because it involves slow, coordinated movements.
Alignment
Body alignment is important because when the body is out of line it is less capable of repairing and guarding from sickness and injury. When the body is in alignment this improves the functioning of the nervous system which in turn improves physical and mental health. It also improves the comfort level of the individual.
By restoring the spine, as well as the rest of the skeletal system, to proper alignment, you enable your body's healing mechanisms to function at its full potential. This may mean you experience sickness less, and when you do, your body may heal itself quicker.
Body alignment is one of the key concepts of Pilates. At 'physiotherapy + pilates evolved' we use Pilates as a method of helping correct body alignment. Pilates encourages listening to your body and practicing habits that will encourage positive behaviour. Pilates also encourages concentration through movement.
Improper body alignment may contribute to
- Muscle and joint pain
- Chronic Fatigue
- Some neurological conditions
- Some hormonal imbalances, body infections
- Irritable bowl syndrome
Body alignment is observed by your physiotherapist when you have a muscle balance assessment done. See Muscle Imbalance for more info on this.
Flexibility
Flexibility refers to the ability to move joints through their entire range of motion, from a flexed to an extended position. The flexibility of a joint depends on many factors including the length and suppleness of the muscles and ligaments and the shape of the bone and cartilage that form the joint. Flexibility can be genetic, but it can also be developed by stretching. Muscles that are stiff and have no elasticity are more likely to cause injury than agile muscles. Tight muscles are prone to strain or tear when put under tension. Thus, flexibility is an important component of fitness. Exercise tends to increase the amount of flexibility in a joint.
Some of the benefits of stretching are:
- Improved performance
- Decreased Injury Risk
- Reduced Muscle Soreness
- Improved Posture
- Reduced Risk of Lower Back Pain
- Increased Blood and Nutrients to Tissues
- Improved Muscle Coordination
Improving flexibility is done mainly by performing stretching exercises. Flexibility training provides many important benefits that cannot be achieved by any other exercise or activity. Pilates is a great form of exercise that stretches muscles gently. Because of its slow and controlled movements, it is very beneficial for lengthening muscles, without risk of strain.
See our Stretching page for more info on this.