New NCHPAD Document: Exercises to Improve Gait Abnormalities
The manner of how a person walks, runs, or moves along on foot is called his or her gait. Gait abnormalities are unusual and uncontrolled walking patterns, usually caused by diseases or injuries to the legs, feet, brain, spine, or inner ear. Many different types of walking abnormalities are produced unconsciously. Most, but not all, are due to some physical condition.
People with gait abnormalities you should consult with their physicians before performing any physical activity.
- Allow plenty of time to complete daily activities, especially walking.
- Wear appropriate shoes and clothing that will not hinder your ability to walk freely.
- Wear prescribed leg braces and in-shoe splints for proper foot alignment during standing and walking.
- Use a cane or walker if necessary for added support and balance.
- Check skin after bouts of walking and standing to avoid skin breakdown and ulcers.
To access the full factsheet, go to http://www.ncpad.org/504/2394/Exercises~to~Improve~Gait~Abnormalities.
Resources for Fall Prevention and Maintaining a Healthy Back
- First Steps to Active Health: Balance and Flexibility Exercises for Older Adults - http://www.ncpad.org/121/938/First~Steps~to~Active~Health~~Balance~and~Flexibility~
Exercises~for~Older~Adults - Don't Get Tripped Up: The Role of Fitness in Fall Prevention - http://www.ncpad.org/388/2139/Don~t~Get~Tripped~Up~~The~Role~of~Fitness~in~Fall~
Prevention - Back to the Basics-Strategies to Maintain a Healthy Back - http://www.ncpad.org/361/2051/Back~to~the~Basics-Strategies~to~Maintain~a~Healthy~Back
NCHPAD Factsheets En Español
NCHPAD has just begun translating existing factsheets into Spanish. More of these factsheets will be released in coming months, so keep visiting us at www.ncpad.org:
- Artritis: http://www.ncpad.org/512/2410/En~Espa~~241~ol~~Artritis
- Diabetes y Ejercicio: http://www.ncpad.org/513/2417/En~Espa~~241~ol~~Diabetes~y~Ejercicio
- Centro Nacional De Actividad Fisica Y Discapacidad (CNAFD): http://www.ncpad.org/514/2426/En~Espa~~241~ol~~Centro~Nacional~De~Actividad~Fisica~
Y~Discapacidad
Visit the NCHPAD Booth at the APHA Annual Meeting and Expo!
2007 Annual Meeting & Exposition of the American Public Health Association (APHA), November 3-7, 2007, Washington, D.C.
This premier Public Health Educational Forum brings together experts in the field to talk about cutting edge research and exceptional best practices and discover the latest public health products and services. It attracts more than 13,000 national and international physicians, administrators, nurses, educators, researchers, epidemiologists, and related health specialists. APHA's meeting program addresses current and emerging health science, policy, and practice issues in an effort to prevent disease and promote health. For more information, go to http://www.apha.org/meetings/ or call 202-777-APHA.
Visit the NCHPAD Booth at booth #531.
November National Health Observances
- American Diabetes Month
- Diabetic Eye Disease Month
- Foot Health Issues Related to Diabetes Awareness Month
- Jaw Joints - TMJ Awareness Month
- Lung Cancer Awareness Month
- National Adoption Month
- National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month
- National Family Caregivers Month
- National Healthy Skin Month
- National Hospice Palliative Care Month
- Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month
- Prematurity Awareness Month
- Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness Month
- Prematurity Awareness Day
- Great American Smokeout
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Awareness Week
- National Influenza Vaccination Week
Contact an Information Specialist: Do you have questions regarding physical activity and disability? We offer a free information service on a wide area of topics related to physical activity, fitness, recreation, sports, and disability and chronic conditions. Complete an online request form at: http://www.ncpad.org/contact/ or call us toll-free at 800-900-8086.