 |
 |
Good thoughts, Roger. I might expand on your suggestions: In the dojo, I was taught that my CoG, (then called my "hara") is around two inches below my navel. I can't tell you exactly what happens to the CoG as you move. But being mindful of this center is very instructive in trying to increase one's balance awareness. If you've tried Roger's bit and it feels good, you may be ready to carefully try to expand to a next step... Take a stance, perhaps with one hand on something you can use to keep from falling, such as a grab bar or countertop. Spread the feet to a bit more than shoulder-width apart. Do so slowly and gradually, perhaps incorporating Roger's rocking motions, so you can note how your sense of balance changes. Bend the knees as far as is comfy. Keeping that one hand engaged lightly, try to rely on your balance and your senses, tightening your grip on the grab bar only when necessary. Repeat rocking motions as before, only expand your boundaries just a bit. I think if you do this kind of exploratory movement, gently and carefully, on a regular basis, it can only help to improve your muscle tone and expand your awareness as you move through your day. A bit more awareness is often all that's needed to prevent an accident. Again, I'm no expert in anything except what works for me. Of course, consult with the appropriate consultants first. Take care. Rick -----Original Message----- From: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Roger Seymour Sent: Saturday, October 20, 2012 4:19 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Falling....help please 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]] 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. > >> > >> ------------------------------------------------------------------- > >> --- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: > > mailto:[log in to unmask] > >> In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn > > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------- > > -- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: > > mailto:[log in to unmask] > > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn > > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------- > > -- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: > > mailto:[log in to unmask] > > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: > mailto:[log in to unmask] > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn