Wacky, walking tricks that worked for me!
Jul 24, 2017 · 2 min read
I’m sure there is science behind these tricks I’ve played on my brain to get mobile when my brain is sending messages to my legs saying, “stay frozen in one spot….no forward movement…” These couple of distractions have tricked my brain to launch into forward motion! Please try these tasks with caution. I admit, my balance and strength is quite impressive and I am fortunate to have averted many falls, with my athleticism.
- When initiating a movement forward which stalls due to being “frozen” (a well known PD symptom) try tying a knot in a rag or small towel or big ball of work socks and kicking it forward. The rag is tied in a knot to make it more compact and it must be able to slide on the floor without getting away from you. If gently kicked, it should slide forward over hardwood, carpet, tile flooring just a short kicking distance away from you. My rag ball allows me to step with my left and kick with my right and step with my left, etc. If you are using a walker, try tying a string to the front of your walker and then the rag ball tied at the floor end of the string and kick as you step the same way. Please try this with a caregiver at first to make sure you are safe!
- If I am in a public place or in my home and I find myself frozen and it is important for me to get from point A to point B…..try a different walking pattern to trick your brain….like side step or twirling! Keeping in mind that I am good at balancing… twirling to the front door of my house when a guest has arrived or to get a phonecall that I need to reach or getting to something on the stove which needs attention…if walking forwards isn’t going to get me there, I choose an alternative means …even backwards sometimes! Be careful, but wouldn’t a little twirling make for a happy day?
