tips for balance control

[cypresss]

hi there

Can you give me some tips for improving balance at quads? Sometimes, when I'm into the manual wheelchair I don't feel safe at all because I don't have good balance control.

Can you give me some ideas about how to improve balance by myself or with help of a trainer/assistant ?

many thx

[Sean Post]

I've been a quad since 1987 and basically I improved my balance by practicing sitting on the edge of the bed or on the edge of my chair. I think it has a lot to do with maximizing the muscles you can use. I can transfer in and out of bed and the car unassisted because of just spending the time practicing the movements. You might try sitting on the edge of the bed with your feet on the floor and sitting up without leaning on anything. Eventually you'll be able to do it all the time. Hope this helps.

[brokeneck]

I am a c1-c2 incomplete with TBI 3 years post and balance is a HUGE problem.I receive neurofeedback training to help with my balance.It really works!

[Big Tuna]

I use cuff weights on each arm and lean side to side. Then I cross my arms and lean forward and pull myself back up. This has worked good for me - just make sure you use your trunk and not your arms. In the beginning make sure someone is there if you cant get back up!

[rybread]

Big Tuna, I don't know how you got lucky enough to have trunk muscles but us completely quads don't have it. I couldn't use any of the muscles in my back, abdominals or sides if I wanted to. That means I have to be really careful not to fall forward when I'm just sitting here alone and I keep one of those Lifeline buttons around my neck and case I fall over so I can get some help over here and I'm not stuck like that until my next caregiver comes in.
As far as getting used to your balance, I just sat in my chair and got used to moving my shoulders and head to keep myself sitting up and not falling over. It helped to be slouched a little bit and to probably angle your seat back back a little more than you see on most peoples, especially paras, and then just go and push around. I think that's how I got myself balance the best I could. Good luck with it. It just takes lots of practice. Are you using armrests? Maybe push handles? I hook my arm over a push handle if I feel like I'm starting to fall. That saved me bunch of times. And now that I think about it, another thing that helps is having 4 inches of dump in my chair, where the seat is 4 inches lower in the back then in the front.