508 – Creating Balance: Discovering New Ways to Improve Balance and Enhance Whole-Body Health Through Aligned Movement

Finding balance in all areas is an essential part of life - and that includes keeping physical balance. Unlike typical fall prevention programs that focus on balance exercises and removing rugs or fall hazards from the home, this session focuses on corrective exercises and aligned movement for whole-body health that simultaneously improves balance and stability. Session participants will: • discover how to adjust body alignment for improvement in balance, coordination, proprioception, and neurological health • stretch and strengthen the feet to wake up the function of the muscles and nerves necessary for balance and stability • understand the three main systems involved with balance and the importance of movement to maintain proper function of these systems • realize the importance of shoe selection in reducing chances of tripping and/or falling.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Understand the necessity and benefits of first focusing on the muscles and sensory nerves of the feet to develop better balance, as well as how to assess and improve foot strength and nerve health.
- Identify and perform body alignment points for balance and overall whole-body health (enhanced neurological, lymphatic and blood flow with the least amount of joint and tissue degeneration).