Fear & Falls
Kids fall over all the time, only to get up and throw themselves
right back into what they were doing before. But as we get
older, falling over becomes a more significant and uncomfortable
event. To the extent that in our older years the act of falling
over becomes a significant event - "a fall".
A neurologist at the University of Rochester believes that some
elderly people become so afraid of falling over that they
develop a certain posture and walk to avoid it, he calls it the
"fear of falling" gait.
The mind is very powerful at manifesting what it imagines as an
event in reality. In this case that very imagining is causing a
fearful and uncertain walking stance all the more likely to lead
to the feared event of a fall.
So great are the tremorous anticipations of a tumble that some
older folk have even been misdiagnosed as having Parkinsons's
disease.
Now, doctors in the USA are being encouraged to ask older
patients about recent falls before assuming a neurological
problem and administering unnecessary medication.
Stable Solutions One culture renowned for it's graceful and
stable elders is that of China, where Tai Chi is still practised
by millions.
In groups of pensioners, here in the West, encouraged to learn
some simple Tai Chi routines it increased confidence and
flexibility after just a few weeks of practice.
Not only did learning Tai Chi help with balance and more relaxed
walking, it also helped strengthen ankles and other joints and
reduced some aches and pains too.