Do you struggle with your balance? You are certainly not
alone.
Balance issues are common for people living with long-term health conditions such as cancer, Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis. Our balance also naturally gets worse as we age. Balance issues can lead to various challenges including falls, injuries, and a loss of independence.
The good news is that balance is trainable!
It is important to remember that balance is a complex skill and therefore requires a multifaceted approach.
To improve balance, it is necessary to take practice a combination of strength, flexibility, balance and coordination exercises.
Balance specific exercises
Why are these important?
Strengthening exercises
Balance issues are common for people living with long-term health conditions such as cancer, Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis. Our balance also naturally gets worse as we age. Balance issues can lead to various challenges including falls, injuries, and a loss of independence.
The good news is that balance is trainable!
It is important to remember that balance is a complex skill and therefore requires a multifaceted approach.
To improve balance, it is necessary to take practice a combination of strength, flexibility, balance and coordination exercises.
Balance specific exercises
Why are these important?
- Improved proprioception: Balance exercises target proprioception, or your body's ability to sense its position in space. This improves your ability to make adjustments to maintain stability.
- Better postural control: Regular practice of balance exercises improves your ability to control your posture, both in static positions and during movement.
- Better adaptation to instability: Balance exercises train your body to handle unstable conditions, such as uneven surfaces or sudden shifts in weight.
Strengthening exercises
Why are these important?
Flexibility and stretching exercises
Why is this important?
Coordination and agility exercises
Why is this important?
Poor balance isn’t something you have to accept — and it’s never too late to make improvements. Whether you're managing cancer, Parkinson’s, MS, or any other long-term condition, balance training can be life-changing. With regular exercise, you can move with more strength, stability, and certainty — and live with greater independence.
- Improved strength and stability: Strong muscles, particularly in the core, legs, and ankles, provide the necessary support and stability to maintain balance. Strengthening these muscles helps you control movements and maintain posture.
- Helps prevent falls: Muscle strength allows for quicker and more effective responses to loss of balance, reducing the likelihood of falls.
- Better postural control: Stronger muscles improve postural control, allowing you to hold positions longer and more effectively.
Flexibility and stretching exercises
Why is this important?
- Increased range of motion: Flexibility ensures that joints can move through their full range of motion without restriction. This is crucial for maintaining balance in various positions and movements.
- Helps prevent injuries: Flexible muscles and joints are less prone to strains and injuries, which can impact balance.
- Better movement fluidity: Flexibility contributes to smooth and coordinated movements, which are essential for maintaining balance during dynamic activities.
Coordination and agility exercises
Why is this important?
- Better integration of sensory inputs: Coordination exercises help the brain integrate inputs from the visual, vestibular (inner ear), and proprioceptive (sense of body position) systems, all of which are crucial for maintaining balance.
- Enhanced motor skills: Improved coordination enhances fine motor skills, making your movements more precise and controlled.
- Better adaptive responses: Good coordination allows for quick and adaptive responses to changes in the environment, such as uneven surfaces or unexpected obstacles.
Poor balance isn’t something you have to accept — and it’s never too late to make improvements. Whether you're managing cancer, Parkinson’s, MS, or any other long-term condition, balance training can be life-changing. With regular exercise, you can move with more strength, stability, and certainty — and live with greater independence.
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