Why is Balance So Important?

The most basic human activities, such as walking and standing, require steady balance. Yet, most people don’t intentionally choose exercises to improve this essential function. Fortunately, many workout routines that are designed to increase your cardiovascular capacity, muscle strength, and range of motion can also benefit your balance at the same time.

Dinash Yanamadula, MD, of Princeton Pain & Spine Institute in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, knows the value of having a good balance. Yanamadula treats a wide range of injuries and ailments directly related to poor balance, and he encourages patients to focus on their balance as both a preventive and rehabilitative tool.

The benefits of having a good balance

There are many reasons why having a good balance can help you. Here are some of them:

Improved joint stability

When you perform exercises to increase your balance, you simultaneously strengthen your muscles, especially those that support your joints. Having a poor balance can cause your joints to engage more frequently to compensate for wobbly walking and missteps.

Having a proper balance, on the other hand, can take the stress off your joints. Research shows that a weak balance can lead to excess wear and tear on your joints and may even promote the development of osteoarthritis.

Better coordination

Whether you’re an athlete who needs to perform multiple movements at once or a nonathlete just trying to rake leaves or cook a meal, you need your body parts to work together harmoniously.

This is called coordination, and it involves your brain, nerves, and muscles collaborating to create a specific movement, such as taking a step or picking up a fork. Balance training can help improve your coordination and streamline your body movements.

Increased body awareness

Proprioception is the medical term that describes your body awareness. In order to function properly, keep yourself upright, and avoid bumping into objects, you need a keen sense of where your limbs are in relation to the world around you.

If you lack this sense, you have a higher risk of getting injured. Dr. Yanamadula can help you hone your proprioception, so you can function more safely and efficiently.

Better reaction timing

Everyone trips or stumbles now and then, but if you have a speedy reaction, you can regain your balance and prevent a fall and subsequent injury. Unfortunately, many elderly adults lack this skill, and one out of four fall every year.

Unfortunately, after you take a dive once, you’re twice as likely to do it again, unless you do something about it, such as improve your balance and reaction timing.

How’s your balance?

Your whole body is involved in keeping you balanced, especially your brain, eyes, ears, muscles, and nerves. They make constant adjustments according to the information they receive.

You can test your balance by performing a simple task: stand on one foot. Are you wobbly or in control? Can you do it with your eyes closed? Without your vision, your proprioception decreases and makes the challenge more difficult.

At Princeton Pain & Spine Institute, we offer physical therapy that focuses on improving your balance. Whether you’re rehabilitating from an injury or want to prevent getting injured, our team can help you regain and maintain your proprioception and balance, which may help prevent: