Thanks, Roger!

PD makes me feel unbalanced even when I'm standing still--like Amanda's, my
center of gravity seems to have a mind of its own. The vertical projection
of the base can be a shifty devil.

About shoes: I find that stiff soles disconnect me from the surface I'm
standing on and wreak havoc with my balance. I prefer thin, soft, flexible
soles that give me a good "road feel"... and my favorite footwear is none
at all.

Kathleen

On 20 October 2012 16:19, Roger Seymour <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Actually, the center-of-gravity thing might be worth thinking about.  A
> basic of physics is this: given a "body" (any object) that is supported by
> a base (legs, a stand...) in contact with (but not attached to) the ground,
> if the center of gravity of the system (object + base) moves outside the
> vertical projection of the base, the base will no longer be able to support
> the system and it will topple.  This could no doubt be stated more
> precisely...  An example: If you're on a step ladder and you lean out such
> that the center of gravity of you+ladder is outside the rectangle formed by
> the feet of the ladder, you+ladder will tip over.  Applying this to the
> human body: when you stand, your "base" is (roughly) the rectangle that
> your shoes will just fit into, front to back and side to side.  If you lean
> in a given direction, your center of gravity shifts in that direction
> (provided you're not doing anything to counterbalance).  As soon as your
> CoG goes over the edge of that rectangle around your shoes, you will start
> to fall.
>
> Two things I might try: 1- Get a sense of where my CoG is.  This can be
> done by standing and carefully rocking front to back and feeling the
> pressure on the heels and balls of the feet as I rock.  Then, find the
> point where the pressure is even between fronts and backs of the feet.
>  This would be the position where the CoG is best centered over the base
> (feet).  Next, I'd try to think about where I feel the pressure on my feet
> when I'm doing routine stuff, and see if there are postures that tend to
> put more pressure on the balls of my feet or heels. These would be
> situations where a fall might be more likely.  2- Consider the shoes.  I
> like to wear more comfy shoes, except when I go to the therapist. If I
> don't want to get lectured, I put on the "right" shoes: the ones with the
> good support, strong heels and stiff soles.  Think about it, though: the
> proper fit and stiffness of the soles of a good pair of shoes provide a
> better base and, in theory at least, should make falling less likely.
>
> For what it's worth...
>
> Roger
>
> -----Original Message----- From: A Phillips
> Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2012 11:26 AM
>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Falling....help please
>
> Think my center of gravity may be outside my body.....
>
>> Date: Thu, 18 Oct 2012 02:29:22 -0500
>> From: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Re: Falling....help please
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>>
>> Invaluable! Lots of strong research about tai chi and yoga, much centers
>> around finding and knowing your center of gravity. Center will change with
>> age and especially with pd.  learning to fall is also a wonderful
>> suggestion. Great!
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>> On Oct 17, 2012, at 4:44 PM, Rick McGirr <[log in to unmask]>
>> wrote:
>>
>> > This is going to sound ridiculous to some of you...
>> >
>> > I have a background of past activity at a martial arts school, or >
>> "dojo",
>> > specifically Nihon Goshin Aikido. At the beginning of every class, we >
>> would
>> > actually practice falling. We had very specific procedures for >
>> front-fall,
>> > side-fall, back-fall. And we would do it a lot. It was essential to do
>> > this,
>> > because Aikido includes a lot of throwing moves, like Judo, so we could
>> > count on hitting the deck several dozen times per class.
>> >
>> > I am very fortunate to have had this training, albeit before my >
>> diagnosis in
>> > 2001. It was a very good way to develop awareness of my body and its
>> > balance, vulnerability, strength, and it gave me a tough inner core,
>> > tempered in lessons under a quite demanding sensei, or teacher.
>> >
>> > Now, I would never suggest that PWP all sign on with a martial arts >
>> academy.
>> > And I would also suggest maximum caution and collaboration with physical
>> > therapist, doctor, sensei, personal assistant, mom, dad, cousin Ralph >
>> and
>> > everybody else you can think of. And further, I only suggest this to >
>> those
>> > who are ready, physically and emotionally, to enter into this kind of >
>> study.
>> > And all the disclaimers apply doubly. I don't know what I am talking >
>> about
>> > in any case. I would not ever represent myself as an authority on >
>> anything
>> > except playing rock n roll on the piano. And even that can be dangerous!
>> > But...
>> >
>> > But yes, you are hearing me correctly. I am indeed suggesting that, >
>> since
>> > you do it so often, make a study of falling. I certainly would never >
>> have
>> > survived the aikido school without the knowledge I gained there. And >
>> there
>> > have been times when the habits gained at aikido school saved my ass
>> > literally. (head, back, knees, elbows, etc.)
>> >
>> > With respect,
>> > Rick
>> >
>> > -----Original Message-----
>> > From: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network
>> > [mailto:[log in to unmask]**utoronto.ca <[log in to unmask]>]
>> On Behalf Of Meg Duggan
>> > Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2012 8:28 AM
>> > To: [log in to unmask]
>> > Subject: Re: Falling....help please
>> >
>> > Do u tend to fall upon rising? Adding a bit of salt to your diet can >
>> help
>> > with sudden drops in blood pressure that can occur. If u are falling >
>> because
>> > of a dropped foot, there are appliances that help keep the foot in a >
>> better
>> > position.
>> >
>> > Sent from my iPhone
>> >
>> > On Oct 15, 2012, at 1:13 PM, Nigel Harland <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>> >
>> >> Hi all,
>> >>        Does anyone have any helpfull advice on preventing falling,? I
>> > fall on average 3 times a day, sometimes more.
>> >> It is only a matter of time before I will do myself some serious >>
>> damage. I
>> > use a walker but even this does not always stop me from from falling.
>> >> Regards,
>> >> Nigel Harland.
>> >>
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