Balance exercises in standing

[jillybutt]

Help! i have a patient 2 year post brain injury who is able to stand but has poor balance and coordination and is unable to walk without assistance of 1 or within parallel bars.He has general muscle weakness and poor righting reactions. I need an inovative programme for his balance and coordination in standing prferably. Please help with your suggestions

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[SteveMartinez]

Your patient sounds like a good candidate for LiteGait training. It is a body weight support gait and balance system that will hold your patient up as little or as much as you want. His posture will be corrected and your hands will be free to assist with his lower extremities. See photos at www.LiteGait.com

[somasimple]

Hi,

I'm using Tai-Chi variations with the stroke patients.
You can see some pictures here =>
www.somasimple.com/forums...php?t=1015

[highmode]

It would help to know what cognitive level you patient is at. Is he or she attentive, fearful, able to follow commands, aware and motivated etc

I use what I call a catch and release approach because I have found that a steady support encourages dependence and the expectation that support will always be there and therefor less postural reactions surfacing.

Depending on level you may find having the patient sit on a theraball with you behind on a wheeled stool controlling the ball with your knees and the patient with your hands may be beneficial. If he is at a lower level have patient sit at the edge of a high low mat with you behind sitting on a ball You can elicit good wt shift trunk extention and abdominal use with less fear.

standing activity - perhaps you need to start with a balanced sit to stand. You can set the ball in front of the patient have their hands on top and roll it away . You get a good weight shift forward again with less fear. In standing perhaps you could have someone hand the patient objects, or have him stand at a table and do a puzzle or pour water or reach and stack. Balance activities can be as varied as your immagination. Work with feet even but also astride

Be aware of how much stimulation the patient can tolerate you may need to keep verbal to a minimum for a better session.
highmode

[somasimple]

Hi

Here is a new link (the previous is broken)
www.somasimple.com/forums....php?t=965