As you'll know if you read my previous post from the day my aircast boot was removed, I'm not receiving any physiotherapy post Achilles Rupture. A bizarre decision but luckily its something I'm well equipped to deal with. Maybe the Physio department have read my blog and know what I think of the profession? Or maybe the staff at Nottingham University have told them of my disgust at the poor methods they taught.
Anyway I'm free to manage my own rehab and its a great time to check that I actually can get back to full fitness. In previous posts I've given the standard protocols that specialists tend to recommend. I'm working my rehab slightly differently and whilst I won't detail it due to the specificity of my needs, I will share this one exercise.
Slow walking was taught to me by Dr Oliver during my CHEK NLC III training in fabulous Copenhagen. Its a great exercise for regaining propreception and I'm using it while blindfolded and wearing ear muffs. In the video you can see my right leg being severely challenged for balance. Its been 1 week since my aircast boot came off and I'm happy with my progress. I consider myself to be a fairly high level of athleticism so I'm way past the stage of doing one leg balances so this provides a much more appropriate challenge.
Try it, make sure your in a safe environment and have someone to watch over you if you intend to try blindfold and/or ear defenders. Walk as SLOW as possible with opposite arm to opposite leg movement (i.e a natural walking pattern). We naturally walk pretty quickly so once its slowed down I'm sure you'll notice your inability to remain on one leg for any amount of time. You'll also notice your toes gripping the floor.
As we get older (even me) we begin to loose our balance and over time we spend less and less time on one foots. This sees the post 50's shuffle which isn't as good as it sounds (its like a forwards version of Jacko's Moonwalk). As we loose our balance we keep our foot closer to the floor and make sure that when it is removed from the earth, we get it back in contact ASAP.
You don't need to go straight in at the deep end with blindfolds, gags and ear defenders, (we don't want your neighbors thinking its some kinky fetish now do we) you can just start at the appropriate level and just go as slow as possible.
Anyway I'm free to manage my own rehab and its a great time to check that I actually can get back to full fitness. In previous posts I've given the standard protocols that specialists tend to recommend. I'm working my rehab slightly differently and whilst I won't detail it due to the specificity of my needs, I will share this one exercise.
Slow walking was taught to me by Dr Oliver during my CHEK NLC III training in fabulous Copenhagen. Its a great exercise for regaining propreception and I'm using it while blindfolded and wearing ear muffs. In the video you can see my right leg being severely challenged for balance. Its been 1 week since my aircast boot came off and I'm happy with my progress. I consider myself to be a fairly high level of athleticism so I'm way past the stage of doing one leg balances so this provides a much more appropriate challenge.
Try it, make sure your in a safe environment and have someone to watch over you if you intend to try blindfold and/or ear defenders. Walk as SLOW as possible with opposite arm to opposite leg movement (i.e a natural walking pattern). We naturally walk pretty quickly so once its slowed down I'm sure you'll notice your inability to remain on one leg for any amount of time. You'll also notice your toes gripping the floor.
As we get older (even me) we begin to loose our balance and over time we spend less and less time on one foots. This sees the post 50's shuffle which isn't as good as it sounds (its like a forwards version of Jacko's Moonwalk). As we loose our balance we keep our foot closer to the floor and make sure that when it is removed from the earth, we get it back in contact ASAP.
You don't need to go straight in at the deep end with blindfolds, gags and ear defenders, (we don't want your neighbors thinking its some kinky fetish now do we) you can just start at the appropriate level and just go as slow as possible.
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