Improve Your Balance When Walking with ONE Simple Trick (for 50+)

To subscribe to 3-Tip Friday, Will's free weekly email where he shares his best health tips, new videos and fascinating research, go here: info.ht-physio.co.uk/3tf
To get a copy of Will's new book, Thriving Beyond Fifty, you can find it on Amazon below:
UK link: amzn.to/3mAISFv
US link: amzn.to/3J1ACGi
(Amazon Affiliate links) To subscribe to 3-Tip Friday, Will's free weekly email where he shares his best health tips, new videos and fascinating research, go here: info.ht-physio.co.uk/3tf To get a copy of Will's new book, Thriving Beyond Fifty, you can find it on Amazon below:
UK link: amzn.to/3mAISFv
US link: amzn.to/3J1ACGi
(Amazon Affiliate links)
Follow us on Instagram for more content: / htphysioofficial
In this episode, Farnham's leading over-50's physiotherapist, Will Harlow, reveals one simple trick that can be used to improve balance when walking!
If you're suffering from nagging knee pain that hurts in the morning and stops you from walking as far as you'd like, you can take our free knee pain guide - which will give you 5 expert tips to put a stop to knee pain at home - by visiting here: ht-physio.co.uk/knee-pain-gui...
To get in touch about sponsorships or promos, send a message to: [e-mail]
If you're over-50 with a painful problem in the Farnham, Surrey area, you can learn more about how Will Harlow and HT Physio can help you overcome a painful problem here: ht-physio.co.uk/
*Any information in this video should not be used as a substitute for individual medical advice. Please seek advice from your local healthcare professional before taking action on the information in this video.* Full policy here: ht-physio.co.uk/injury-discla...

[@vijayakumarp7593]

Our Adorable Will, all your videos are packed with very essential tips to help elders overcome from small fears to bigger lapses . Also preventive measures to help otherwise. What a blessing! May God bless you always. We love your genuine work and attitude. Thank you, thank you, thank you Will.

[@johnroller5198]

Hi Will…this cogent and superbly illustrated advice of looking up and further afield kept from falling over on my afternoon walk in Central Park…never realized how subtlety my center of gravity has shifted..you are a blessing to our senior community…❤️

[@nota8386]

Watching this while walking home from work, hope I don't trip😊

[@cathyphegley7848]

This helped immensely…..although I do strive for upright posture and achieve it, I need to continue to focus on my core as I begin walking regularly again. What I find difficult is looking side to side while walking and crossing a street. Getting better with practice. Your drawings aren’t quite rubbish my friend….but I would keep my day job🤣💕

[@emmkaa2099]

Will, you're terrific, thank you.

[@carnivoregal7237]

I needed this for my 10 k walking. The surface is smooth not like uneven side walks. My back really hurts when I’m done. So I will definitely remember to do this.

[@triarb5790]

Using your 'toe raise' exercises and standing glute exercises daily, I have been able to 'tilt myself back upright', and I am no longer worried about tripping. It's given back me my confidence 😊. Oh and at 61, my drawing ability has never extended beyond stick figures so I think they are just fine!

[@tareichadwick8270]

You are a lifesaver. Thank you 🙏🏻

[@jeanhansel5805]

I am one of the people that cannot look fifteen feet ahead when walking. I live in the middle of a city, and the only way to avoid the hazards of falling is to look directly down in order to avoid those hazards.. The hazards include uneven cement sidewalks (oftentimes the result of a street tree whose roots are exposed and causing the sidewalk to buckle) , holes in the sidewalk, and cracked and uneven roads, to name a few. I am glad you put a disclaimer on this video that the instructions given are not right for everybody. I do use a cane.

[@adelabrouchy]

Is a vivid description of the sidewalks in the city I live. But I must add dog poops and young people sleeping on the floor when you go out and trespass your entrance door, plus slippery nylon bags scattered around the trash containers. I use a cane when walking outside. 💙🌻🍀

[@user-ms9up2mc4i]

That was me all the way, real insecure about falling. Walking the new way feels right, so thanks again for excellent information.

[@DNA350ppm]

Correct spectacles, and less to carry in both of my hands, and not trying to catch the bus to catch a train (one every second hour only) - there are many lessons to learn in the age I find it the hardest to learn new habits. I fell forward on my face, hands, knees, and then had to have a new shoulder, a "knob", of metal operated in. Such a big nuisance with many complications. It was just me in the accident, stumbling on an uneven surface where my shoe-tip stuck. The silver lining was the kind people, who rushed to help, they called the ambulance and stood by my side until I was off in it, bloody and sore and very faint in my head. Listen to Will, you all, you will not regret it!

[@mm1788]

You should give lessons on speaking. You have the clearest and best explanation for what you are describing. Thank you!

[@PVVI2015]

Very good explanation! I just received your book two days ago! I’m very fit and active at 74, and I have a fitness routine in place to keep me that way. But I am learning some very helpful age specific exercises from your book. Thank you!

[@RaymondManlapas]

Again, thank you for sharing that one simple yet beneficial tip on the right way to walk! Its been engaging to watch and learn, indeed!

[@susanschultz2355]

I walk 5 miles or 10,000 steps every day at a very fit 75 years old. I use walking sticks so it is easy to look 15 feet ahead and because of that and the sticks I have great posture. Love your videos!

[@catherineloftus1376]

Excellent advice, and it made perfect sense, I'm definitely going to remember this technique when walking outside. Thanks.

[@erinpruitt201]

Will your content is outstanding. Keep up the great videos!!!

[@camillaholst7321]

Thank you so much. I really like your channel, and find your explanations and tips very useful.🎉

[@MsVivian99]

Thank you for this guidance! Very helpful, I’m finding myself starting to lean forward, and now can see what is happening!! I believe this will help enormously.

[@millydaisy29]

You explain things so clearly, thank you for all your posts as I enjoy them a lot and find them very helpful 🌸

[@maebellerechtman7354]

Love ❤️ all your videos! Thanks so much! I’m definitely buying your book!

[@juliestringer393]

Love the book. It has so much more in it than I was expecting.

[@marzymarrz5172]

This is very practical help and I appreciate your helpfulness with what might appear to be very small things. But, I am at an age where I know that a lot of things good and bad start with one small move.

[@jerzybaczyk2769]

Certainly good advice and description of problems with the center of gravity. To have but such an opportunity, I would add stretching of the hip flexors, the shortening of which often causes bending and shifting the center of gravity forward.

[@normbabbitt4325]

Wow! Thank you for the clarity with which you teach exercises for those of us over fifty. Much appreciated!

[@mecon5829]

So true. Your videos are always helpful for elderly people like us. Very good explanation, thank you very much. ❤

[@M_Ladd]

Great job! Thank you very much!

[@anitakher1001]

Love it needed this advice badly thank you so much

[@myrnaleon8464]

Very good video. Thanks. 😊

[@srinithyamangalmayananda69]

Thanks very much. Will start following your advice !

[@specialistcarmarketing]

These are very practical and nice short videos.

[@Alice-oe4kd]

I have been watching your videos for a while and find them helpful. Actually I just purchased you book. This video Is a good illustration of one of my problems ... Looking down for fear of tripping. Are the "exercises" in the book shown in the videos? That would be very helpful for me. Thank you for doing these. Virginia, USA

[@ndalopaul4245]

Thanks for that lesson

[@testinginstruments7785]

Wonderful advice. I used to walk 15000 steps everyday. I will follow this henceforth.

[@TChing-gf3wl]

The way he explained the problems with the way some people walk wrongly and sometimes can cause them imbalance and cause them to fall. Thank you for sharing this video with everyone.

[@HT-Physio]

More than happy to help!

[@hazydreamer7965]

Thank you, I will keep that in mind. Actually, ever since my lower back was operated, I tend to walk kind of bent and staring at my toes.

[@PammyR56]

I tried this today. I was amazing how hard it was on my neck.

[@anneleonas7813]

Wonderful advice! Thank you!

[@rellaharper312]

I believe a good majority of the elderly walk bent over as they have weak upper core strength making it difficult to retain an upright position. Also walkers teach them to walk incorrectly as well all hunched over. I enjoy your videos thank you for all your advice.

[@annburge291]

Elderly people tend to look at where they are stepping because their eyesight is bad and therefore it's difficult to focus and remember. Try to walk where the terrain is relatively smooth and easy to navigate to build confidence.

[@stephencrowther524]

Nothing to do with eyesight,ever heard of glasses ? It’s to do with posture,stiffness and lack of confidence with balance.

[@annburge291]

@@stephencrowther524 by the time one is elderly, it's common to use bi or trifocal glasses. This is usually fine in your sixties. However with our tendencies for high carb and inclusion of industrialised food products this tends not only to affect the eyes, but also the brain which makes interpreting the visual world more difficult. Sometimes our useful visual aids in middle life add a level of complexity in later life because glasses are not designed for cataracts, macula degeneration, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease.

[@bru1015]

I agree! 😊

[@peterchristopher5905]

This is very helpful.

[@debbie7860]

I'm 56 and as soon as I leave my front door I'm all over the place😮I will try this 😊

[@HT-Physio]

Wishing you all the best!

[@memelc5655]

Good reminder ❤

[@kate60]

Excellent

[@christinarobinson1808]

I have nerve damage after spinal surgery so need to know where I'm putting my feet so tend to look down when I'm walking,which makes me feel unstable.

[@patwarburtonr7488]

Thank you Lord God that we are here to see in another New Year, it is only through your love, grace and mercy. Let our faith deepen in this time of newness and let all our thoughts and intentions be pleasing to you. 🙏 🙏

[@loraineashton4899]

Simple concise perfect thankyou this is very valuable info and easy to implement ❤

[@yifatozeri7353]

So simple so helpfull

[@olumuyiwaogundeyi6444]

Thanks!

[@a.pacana1238]

Thank you Dok i will try this to ny husband falling fiwn becayse of lost of balance. Thank tou so nuch ! Happy Thanksgiving ! God bless

[@mrstevek118]

Thank you for this ❤️

[@sandrajohnston9745]

Thank you for this video. I recognize this problem in my walking, but have not been able to correct it. I have had my lumbar vertebrae fused (a necessary surgery, as my next step was becoming wheelchair bound) and my stooping forward comes from the lumbar area, not higher up. Especially when I walk uphill. Downhill is no problem, I walk standing straight up. But the minute I start uphill, even just a small grade, my upper body tilts forward and pretty soon my lower back is killing me and my legs aren't moving properly. I have to stop and relax all muscles, then start again. But nothing I have tried so far has made any lasting progress.

[@arkashasokarajan488]

Thank you so much.

[@edwardizhonig204]

Yess- you get it! I am so bent forward and have two kinds of scoliosis ! I will try - thank you so much - you’re a gem! ❤️

[@HT-Physio]

Wishing you all the best! :)

[@sheikdawood6417]

Suberp simple trick. Thanks a lot

[@juliahowell7250]

This is fine unless you live in a country with many uneven surfaces as well as peripheral neuropathy in feet & ankles. I have fallen one a year for the past 3 years & 2 were head injuries without any bracing with arms & hands. Thanks for the vision tip with changing center of gravity but fearful of tripping over uneven & potholed surfaces.

[@boxcar2847]

This and the walk down a 15 degree incline road to the letterbox; especially in the wintertime leaves me feeling no choice but to gaze downward to monitor where each step goes.

[@dbyers3897]

True enough since both my falls happened when I wasn't looking where I was stepping. I think they have nice sidewalks in London.

[@joseenoel8093]

Well if you go to Portugal be aware the cars get parked on the sidewalks and many of the sidewalks are a type of large cobble stone, very uneven, good walking shoes are a must!

[@gardeniainbloom812]

@@dbyers3897 When maintained. We have many tree roots that do damage. Often safer to walk in the road than the pavement.

[@stevewhalen6973]

Exactly what I've been doing and I'm always feeling off balance when walking . Thanks !

[@HT-Physio]

Glad I've been able to offer some helpful advice!

[@jonwright4418]

Thank you it makes sense. We'll done!

[@HT-Physio]

Great to hear!

[@christinemunyao1803]

Hi, do you have exercise for someone with spondilitis and back spurs?

[@MichaelFenley]

Will. Could you also argue that when climbing up step ladders to lean forwards as much as possible to shift the center of gravity forwards as much as possible to keep from falling off?

[@hemapiyaratna2888]

Great advice

[@HT-Physio]

Thank you!

[@junethiel632]

I do not have a problem with balance, and besides, I carry a walking stick to help prevent falls (our village pathways are lovely but with very uneven paving). My issue, I believe, was caused when I sat on a low chair, packing and unpacking household stuff in order to relocate twice in 2 years, I have had two lower back fusions, one early in the 1980's and then another one in 2009. With the second one, all the old hardware was removed from my spine, and flexible titanium rods were installed. I do not know for sure, but rather suspect that these rods have bent slightly during my many hours of packing and unpacking (I had no help). When I try to straighten up my back, (which has always been very straight, as posture has always been important to me), it feels as if my back is stuck at a certain point. and when I stand for more than 2 minutes, I experience terrible pain. When I walk (which I love to do), - I slowly but surely get more bent over, due to bad lower back pain. I also still have a good singing voice, and often get asked to sing in our little concerts, but find I can no longer do this whilst standing. I sit very straight on a bar stool now - fortunately, my singing teacher had taught me all the techniques for singing whilst seated! But I LONG to stand up straight, walk upright and be pain free. Any suggestions, please? I have tried all the various exercises and applications you give us so helpfully in your videos, but I continue to struggle....

[@avrumgolub2735]

How does one combine your advice with fear of tripping and the inability to get up after a fall?

[@lvvenky9973]

Sir your book is not available on Amazon India. An eBook would be convenient (Kindle)

[@lyndasoar4345]

Seems its the basic habits we need to maintain: to take our time over-posture & not let others/ourselves rush us. Its a contunal battle against confidence & safety -v- not allowing diminishing mobility to dictate our activities... Should we b reading up on 'how to fall, to minimise injury' ? Fore-thought-out = forewarned ?

[@ajaykumara7158]

Thanks Dr I fell the stairs bt not looking down where 2 steps missing I overlooked and over stepped resulting in Achilles tendon torn fully.

[@lym3204]

Walking bent over also causes one's feet to land on the forefoot. This reduces the ability to clear slight irregularities in the sidewalk. Walking with a straighter back allows you to easier land on the heel of your front foot reducing the risk of tripping because the front of your foot will be raised. You must also lift instead of drag, your back foot quickly to avoid tripping with your back foot. I see exactly what my mother is doing wrong but it is not easy to correct old habits.

[@suukuriido8053]

i think your drawings get the job done. The red dot ones were good.

[@danteguinhawa8201]

Thank you very much. Useful guide. Unfortunately, I tend to look closer in front of me (vs 15 feet) during the winter to avoid slipping on black ice etc (even to the point of walking like a penguin!)!

[@user-sd4yw5iy7n]

Super Video!!! Thank you.

[@HT-Physio]

You're welcome!

[@user-sd4yw5iy7n]

@@HT-Physio Thank you sooo much for all your Video's with simple easy doing Tipps. You are so right I was walking and mostly looking on the Floor. But now I walk and look straight ahaid, because of my neck etc. Now I stand up from the sofa without any help, (meaning holding at the Armlehne" left or right side) with your simple Trick etc. etc. GREETINGS FROM GERMANY

[@janicejames3005]

Thanks. I walk like a drunken sailor. I also have poor eyesight so I look down as per your drawing. I will try your suggestions.

[@user-fp7do4il5z]

People often walk forward due to their back injuries. What advice do you have to help them?

[@anselmdevas1530]

What about if the roads with paverblocks which are uneven in India?

[@SandraHouston30]

I tend to fall back. What causes this ?

[@natalieoj3078]

Simple yes effective yes

[@idiotsavant53]

A couple of vertebrae in my neck are fused together with arthritis due to a whiplash accident. My head juts forward and to the left. I can't straighten it and walk with good posture. I don't know what to do. And I do have balance issues especially with stairs.

[@valentinpineda247]

Unfortunately I am a diabetic with very bad foot neuropathy. I look down because i can't feel when my feet are firmly on the ground. 😢

[@shwetalil8048]

Namaste Sir, I wear calliper on my right leg, when i walk one leg is always straight. Can people like be taught how to walk confidently ani climb stairs easily. I use cane to walk, when iclimb stairs i have to lift right leg straight, its difficult. Can anybody help.

[@rechmbrs]

Excellent tips. I'd like to make a recmendation to go with it. You must wear fitted footwear that fits your feet and is either tie or velcro closure shoes. Slippers are worse than bare feet but shouldn't be worn either. High top shoes are very helpful if one has weak ankles. Footwear needs to have at least some tread on the sole.

[@dbyers3897]

Some of us have trouble bending to tie or fasten shoes but I certainly agree, good sturdy footwear are vital.

[@anthonyofarrell]

Bare feet are the best.

[@mikejones9961]

thanks

[@gregjillson9351]

Greetings! Good point. I need to practice looking up, more ahead and straightening my posture. But, that should not mean, like you say, we should not watch our steps just 3-5 feet immediately in front of us. It's possible for some, looking 15 feet ahead might cause a sense of "off-equilibrium" not looking/watching one step in front of the other. But, yes, may be similar to bad posture looking down constantly at one's cell phone. What about person 80+ with stooped over back due to spinal curvature? My opinion is not recommendable to get adjustments from chiropractor. Too risky at older age maybe. Thanks for your videos and caring for ppl. I certainly need to improve myself physically.

[@george6977]

👍

[@noorjahanjeevan5723]

❤

[@azizkarim]

🙏🙏🙏

[@joseenoel8093]

I saw an elderly gentlemen walking with his hands behind his back, probably an imprint of how he saw his elders walking around, perhaps making it look like they're doing something, prob just a bad habit too!

[@virginiaromero463]

That’s the reason I lost bal@nce !

[@RichardSmallwood-du9qb]

Wrong, wrong, wrong, I walk with a slight stoop forward because if I stand upright, I can easily fall back wards, which I can't stop falling, and then am in danger of bouncing the back of my head, because I can stop myself falling forwards, by stepping a larger step forwards! ~ R

[@neildonaldson3408]

My apologies, surely you mean centre of Mass?

[@catherineb3841]

This is very interesting, but why do you use medieval measurements like ‘feet’ ? I find this confusing. Are we talking of a man’s feet, elephant’s feet, cat’s feet ? What about a small woman’s feet like mine ?

[@loischristie871]

Hi Catherine. A foot is a standard unit of measurement used in the UK. One foot = 12 inches. We also use metric, so a foot is equivalent to 30 centimetres. Hope that's helpful!

[@mystikalmassiah]

Why do we have to be 50+ and over struggling to keep our balance? I'm nowhere near 50+ and I have problems with my balance and I'm in my 30'e!

[@christinegerard4974]

Overall when you are carrying weights !

[@stephencrowther524]

Hilarious to see a healthy young man who thinks he understands the elderlys problems,although he is technically right about the centre of gravity. He’s trying to be helpful,I know….good for him.

[@figgettit]

in mexico city this is bad advice. you have to keep your eyes on the ground, its all fucked up.

[@ajaykumara7158]

By not keeping eyes on the ground while stepping down staircase...2 steps missing bottom...I overlooked and oversteppped resulting in Achilles tendon ruptured full

[@07Giddyup]

Did I miss something? Why are we looking down now? There is a reason. Waste of time for me!

[@reynaldocapili8138]

Lots of talking instead of showing how to do it.

[@philip0987]

Wonderful logical advise thanks Will

[@HT-Physio]

Glad it was helpful!

[@007OrlyOK]

Nice to see+hear u🌿 Thanks for your smart tips 🫡