IS YOUR BALANCE SETTING YOU UP FOR AN INJURY?
I have some good news, and some bad news: First, the bad news: Everyone has naturally deteriorating balance skills; it’s just a fact of life. However, the rateofdeterioration,howquicklyyouworsen,andhowbadly thepoorbalance skills compound with other health issues CAN be under your CONTROL. (That’s part of the good news!) Good balance requires several things: Good vision (well-adjusted contacts or glasses if needed), quick reaction time, strong muscles in trunk and legs, good blood pressure, and a properly functioning vestibular/ inner ear system. Our brain must be tuned in and able to detect and quickly respond to changes of our body position, irregularities in ground surface, and the mere turn of our heads. Morebadnews:According to theCDC, fallsare the leadingcauseof fataland nonfatal injuriesamongadults65andolder.Fallscanbedevastatingandcan be deadly. Some of you might worry about yourself or your parents: when will we experience a fall, or….when will we fall again? No fun! Falling can be dangerous or embarrassing, throwing us down physically and emotionally. At worst, it can result in a fracture or head injury. So do we stop getting out and walking? Do we wear protective gear like the Michelin man or a helmet? Well, let’s keep the helmet for biking and roller skating. Let’s find something else we can CONTROL. More good news: Our bodies respond well to re-learning balance skills and to strengthening through specific, targeted exercises. Repeated challenges, in a safe environment, is helpful. No matter what age, young, middle, or old,
we all can improve our balance skills and strength. I promise. The logical way to begin, is to test yourself or to be tested.That’s where a great physical therapist comes in: we have a few standardized tests and a few tricky tasks up our sleeves to help get people thinking, learning and getting better. We actuallysee thisEVERYDAYatZPT. Ifyouareconcernedaboutyourbalance or a loved one’s safety, simply call our office and set up an appointment to see one of our therapists. After beginning, it can take several weeks to see progress, but it can also be an immediate “game-changer,” preventing a dreadful fall. If there are other factors, such as neurological changes, peripheral numbness, visual changes, we may need to refer you to another healthcare specialist to address these issues. We will be glad to steer you in the right direction. www.ZionsvillePT.com
Black Bean Mango Quinoa Salad
FOR BETTER “BALANCE” IN YOUR LIFE, EAT MORE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES! - Elaine
INGREDIENTS • 1 cup dry quinoa • 2 cups spinach • ½ cup cilantro • 3 green onions • ½ lemon, juiced
• 2 tsp. cumin • Sea salt and pepper to taste • 1 can (15 oz.) black beans, rinsed
• 1-2 mangos, cubed • 1 avocado, cubed
DIRECTIONS Prepare quinoa in rice cooker or on stove top according to package directions (I use vegetable broth, 2 cups to 1 cup quinoa). Let cool. In food processor, add the spinach, cilantro, green onions, lemon juice, cumin, salt and pepper. Process until smooth like pesto. Scrape sides, repeat. Add this sauce to quinoa soon after it cooks so that the quinoa absorbs all the flavor. Add black beans, avocado, and mango. Toss gently. (I squeezed rest of lemon on top to keep avocado from browning).
CALL TODAY! 317.873.2033
www.ZionsvillePT.com
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