ADL Balance Blog

Haas’s 5 Laws of Balance Training

by Shane Haas October 04, 2018

1st law: Standing balance begins when the hands let go. If patient unable to stand without hand support, do not introduce balance challenges. Inste...

Posted in 5 Laws of Balance Training, Balance, Intensity

20:20 Clarity on Balance Intensity

by Shane Haas October 01, 2018

In order to get the most of balance training, the intensity of the exercise needs to be “just right.” Too much support (holding, touching, spotting...

Posted in balance intensity, just right, too easy, too hard

Want Better Balance? Look in the Mirror

by Shane Haas September 19, 2018

Patient’s “favor” one leg following injuries and surgeries (hip fractures, joint replacements, CVAs, etc.). Favoring is usually due to pain, weakne...

Posted in Balance, Tips, Visual

Lower the Bar for Better Balance

by Shane Haas September 15, 2018

I've discussed in previous posts (Tips to Improve Hip Strategies, The Body's 4 Natural Defenses to Fight Falls, & 5 Ways to Make Balance Rehab ...

Posted in Balance, Hip strategies

Unable to Stand Without Help? The ADL Balance Trainer Can Help.

by Shane Haas September 09, 2018

Weakness, unsteadiness, and fear are common reasons why patients struggle to stand without help. These patients are usually working to overcome eff...

Posted in ADL Balance Trainer, Balance, Stand

WARNING: Keep Balance Trainer Away From Walls

by Shane Haas July 23, 2018

To get the most out of the ADL Balance Trainer, keep it away from walls. Walls keep therapists out of the Trainer and limit their ability to spot a...

Posted in ADL Balance Trainer, Balance

ADL Leg Press is a Space Saver

by Shane Haas May 01, 2018

In my previous post "Why are Rehab Gyms so Small" I stated that many rehab facilities are small and cramped for space, but most cannot expand their...

Posted in ADL Leg Press, wheelchair exercise

Why are Rehab Gyms so Small?

by Shane Haas April 18, 2018

Why are rehab gyms so small? Regular, open-to-the-public gyms are around 20K square feet. My guess is that a typical gym in sub-acute rehab (IPR, S...

Posted in OT, PT

Tips to Improve Stepping Strategies

by Shane Haas April 10, 2018

In the previous post The Body's 4 Natural Defenses to Fight Falls, I noted that patients may lack the coordination and/or leg strength needed to st...

Posted in Balance, Stepping Strategies

Tips to Improving Hip Strategies

by Shane Haas February 14, 2018

I noted in last blog post (The Body's 4 Natural Defenses Against Falls) that hip strategies are key to recovering from medium-level balance disrupt...

Posted in ADL Balance Trainer, ADL Hip Stick, Hip strategies

The Body's 4 Natural Defenses to Fight Falls

by Shane Haas February 07, 2018

Standing balance is one's ability to remain upright and steady. Steadiness is maintaining the body's center of pressure (COP) well within the base ...

Posted in Balance, Balance Exercises, occupational therapy, OT, Physical Therapy, PT

5 Steps for Learning to Stand Without Hand Support

by Shane Haas January 30, 2018

A lot of patients in post-acute rehab cannot stand without holding onto something - walkers, tables, grab bars, THERAPISTS, etc. Many of these pati...

Posted in Balance, Balance Exercises, occupational therapy, OT, Physical Therapy, PT