Hard to stand up from a chair?

Why standing up gets hard

Rising from a chair uses the big muscles of the thighs and buttocks, along with balance and timing. When those muscles weaken, the push to stand becomes a real struggle.

This often creeps in with age, after an illness, or after time spent sitting more than usual. A low, soft sofa makes it even harder.

Many people start using their arms to haul themselves up, or need several tries. This is common, and with practice the strength and the knack usually return.

What a physiotherapist works on

Our physiotherapist checks how you rise, where the strength is lacking, and whether balance plays a part. Then we build a plan around the exact move.

We train the thigh and buttock muscles that power the stand, and practise the lean-and-push technique that makes it smoother and safer.

We also look at the chairs and bed you use, and set them up to work with you. The aim is to stand up without hauling on furniture or fearing a fall.

Small changes that help today

A firmer, higher seat is far easier to rise from than a deep, soft one. A cushion can lift a low chair to a better height.

Leaning the nose forward over the toes before pushing shifts the weight and makes standing easier. We teach this simple technique step by step.

Sturdy armrests give a safe place to push from. We help the family choose the right chairs and add safe supports where they are needed.

When to see a doctor first

Trouble standing is often about weakness, but some signs need a doctor. See one if the difficulty came on suddenly, or if one leg is much weaker than the other.

Get prompt help if there is numbness, sharp back or leg pain, or a loss of control of the bladder or bowel.

If a fall caused the trouble and there is pain in the hip or back, that needs checking before exercise. We will guide you to the safer order of steps.