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