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Benefits of Standing
: Physical Benefits
Physicians & Therapists
recommend standing for many reasons:
- Pressure relief
- Normalizing of kidney and
bladder functions
- Improving digestive and bowel
function
- Maintenance of bone density
- Improving flexibility and
decreasing spasticcity
- Greater circulation
- Improving respiration
Pressure
Sores
Immobilization, or continuous sitting, creates pressure that can lead to
obstructed blood flow and breakdown of the skin tissue. The resulting wounds
are often decubitus ulcers, otherwise known as pressure sores. According to
Thomas P. Stewart, P.h.D., a method for prevention and treatment for
decubitus ulcers is to relieve pressure through postural changes. He
maintains that passive standing can relieve pressure by shifting weight to
the legs.
Bladder
Immobilization in the sitting position often results in calcium deposits in
the urinary tract. In many spinal cord injury cases, control of the bladder
is often not possible creating additional problems in the urinary tract.
According to a study conducted by James Walter, Ph.D. and Robert Dunn, Ph.D.
at the Rehabilitation Research and Development Center of Hines V.A.,
standing device users experience more complete emptying of the bladder and
report a significant decrease in bladder infections. The Journal of
Physiology reports that increased pressure on the bladder in the standing
position can result in better drainage. Thereby, minimizing urinary tract
problems.
Digestion
As outlined in the Handbook of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation,
wheelchair users often experience digestive complications as a result of
prolonged immobilization. These complications include constipation, fecal
impaction, and other dysfunction. Research by James Walter, Ph.D. and Robert
Dunn, Ph.D. finds that frequent standing induces more regular bowel
movements.
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Bones
It has been well documented that continuous sitting inhibits weight bearing,
which causes weakening of the bones and ultimately, osteoporosis. According
to the Journal of Applied Physiology, passive standing can reverse the loss
of bone density. Kaplan reinforces this finding, reporting that standing in
spinal cord injury patients can reduce bone density loss and even build
calcium in the bones.
Muscles
Continuous sitting often causes tightening or shortening of the leg muscles.
As a result, joints lose flexibility and contractures in the knees, ankles
and hip joints can form. Spasticity is a muscular problem often found in
spinal cord injury cases and other neurological disorders. A report by James
Walter, P.h.D. and Robert B. Dunn, P.h.D finds that use of standing devices
increases flexibility and decreases spasticity in the legs.
Circulation
Continuous sitting contributes to poor blood circulation, which can result
in pooling of blood in the lower extremities. The result is often fatigue,
nausea, and dizziness. Thomas P. Stewart, P.h.D. reports in his research of
passive standing that low blood pressure can be improved by repeated
standing.
Breathing
In the supine, or sitting, position a person cannot contract muscles for
maximum inhaling and exhaling, which can lead to reduced respiratory
efficiency and impairment such as pneumonia. It is widely believed that the
standing position can induce better breathing. In a study by the American
Physical Therapy Association, more than one third of the respondents
reported better breathing after prolonged standing.
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