Experts from UTMB lecture on various topics related to the overall health and wellness needed to preserve your health and wellness. Join any or all lectures in the series.
Staying on Your Feet - How Neuropathy & Sensory Loss Affects Balance & What You Can Do About It
Balance and walking aren't just about strength but also about sensing the world around you. This interactive presentation explores how our nervous system uses information from the environment to keep us steady and safe during everyday activities. Learn how peripheral neuropathy from diabetes or other health conditions, combined with normal age-related sensory changes, can silently compromise your balance and walking ability, potentially threatening your independence over time.
Participants will discover:
- How sensation from your feet acts as your body's "early warning system" for balance
- The three sensory systems that work together to keep you upright and how they change with age
- Why neuropathy increases fall risk and affects walking patterns
- Common health conditions that contribute to sensory loss beyond diabetes
- Evidence-based strategies to compensate for reduced sensation and maintain stability
- Practical exercises and modifications you can implement at home to maximize safety and function
- When to seek help from a physical therapist or healthcare provider
Whether you're currently experiencing numbness or tingling in your feet, have been diagnosed with neuropathy, or simply want to understand how aging affects your balance, this session will provide actionable insights to help you stay active, independent, and confident in your mobility.