"Walking as a Health Indicator"... Busan Himchan Hospital Provides Walking and Balance Education for Seniors

Introducing Balance Assessment and Joint Care Methods at Dongnae-gu Senior Center Chairpersons’ Workshop

Busan Himchan Hospital has launched a health education program for local seniors, focusing on walking and physical balance.

On December 26, Busan Himchan Hospital was invited to the Senior Citizens' Association Dongnae-gu Branch's meeting for community center chairpersons and the Sharing Love Rice Cake Soup event, where it provided health education on walking and physical balance to the elderly.

Busan Himchan Hospital was invited to the Senior Citizens' Association Dongnae-gu Branch's meeting for community center chairpersons and the Sharing Love Rice Cake Soup event held on the 26th, where it provided health education on walking and physical balance to the elderly. Photo by Busan Himchan Hospital

This program focused on helping participants understand their joint and posture conditions by observing how their body’s center of gravity shifts during walking. Participants walked in place with their eyes closed on a walking mat and then compared their final position to their starting point to assess their balance.

Pyokil Young, head of the physical therapy team at Busan Himchan Hospital, explained, "A tendency to lean to one side after walking may be related to decreased lower limb strength, reduced joint range of motion, or diminished physical stability. Such changes can also be observed in cases of knee osteoarthritis, hip disorders, leg length discrepancies caused by pelvic imbalance, shoulder joint diseases, and spinal alignment abnormalities."

He emphasized that for seniors, persistent physical imbalance can lead to decreased walking stability and a higher risk of joint diseases, making it important to recognize one’s condition and manage it in daily life.

At the end of the program, exercises that can be practiced daily were introduced, including stretches for lumbar and pelvic stabilization, exercises to improve mobility of the knees and hips, and movements to relax the muscles around the shoulder joints. The physical therapy team explained that maintaining a regular exercise routine within one’s limits helps to sustain physical balance.

Kim Joungho, director of Busan Himchan Hospital, said, "Walking is an important indicator that comprehensively reflects the condition of one’s joints and posture. I hope this program helps local seniors better understand their physical condition and maintain a safer daily life."