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 spasticity
- 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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