Rocker boards are most commonly used to improve balance and promote healing after an ankle sprain. For children who repeatedly twist their ankles, a rocker board will help to heal the ankle and strengthen it to avoid future injuries. Exercises done on the rocker board start simple and can become more intense as the body adapts to the beginning exercises. There are no kid-specific rocker boards, but they do come in a variety of sizes, the smallest of which is very kid-friendly.
Uses
Rocker boards are used most commonly to rehabilitate a sprained ankle. This type of exercise has been found helpful in improving proprioception, or the sense of knowing where the body parts are in space. With improved propioception, there is improved balance. Exercising with a rocker board can also improve range of motion and rehabilitate upper extremities too.
Types
A rocker board is a piece of wood with a slip-resistant surface that is balanced on top of a half circle of hard material. These boards vary in size and type of rocker. The exercise intensity is dependent on the number of angles or planes that the rocker board can move in. There are other varieties of rocker boards, including those in the shape of wedges, balance discs, pads, blocks or pods. These are usually made of a pliable material, not wood.
Side to Side
A beginning exercise for the rocker board is side to side. When starting on the rocker board be sure there is a wall within reaching distance to avoid falling and that it is on a rug or carpet to keep it from slipping out from under the child. Standing barefoot on the rocker board's nonslip surface, the child shifts her weight from left to right and then back to the left. Repeat.
Front to Back
Moving on the rocker board in a front to back motion is another beginner exercise. Again, the rocker board should be near a wall and on a rug or carpet. Have the child stand barefoot on the rocker board nonslip surface, then, as he shifts his weight, the rocker board moves front to back. Repeat.
Rotation
Performing rotation or circular motions on the rocker board is another beginning exercise. The rocker board should be near a wall and on a nonslip surface. Have the child stand barefoot on the rocker board and lean the balls of the feet forward, continuing to rotate the ankles in a clockwise motion. Then repeat, moving the rocker board in a counterclockwise motion.
