Tricks to overcome freezing of gait: Living with Parkinson's Tip of the Week

Many folks with Parkinson’s disease have a problem called freezing of gait. When freezing occurs, especially in a single leg, it can lead to unsteadiness and even falling. Here are a few tips and tricks to overcome or to better address freezing of gait. Remember it is not a one size fits all and what works for some— does not work for others.

• Use music— in one great study by Liz Stegmoller and Chris Hass music helped— the Bee Gees….

• March to music in your head; or sometimes use counting even without music…

• Shifting weight side to side— or if safe change direction (if you can manage to do this without falling)….for some people moving the arms can cue the legs to move

• Step over an imaginary line or object

• Use a walker/cane with a laser cuing device— or go old school and carry a laser pointer

• Make an old fashioned inverted cane (a cane that has something attached to it that you can see and step over)

• If music doesn’t work, try a metronome

• Don’t rush— if one leg is frozen and you try to move with the other leg you may trip over yourself and fall.

To read more books and articles by Michael S. Okun MD check Twitter @MichaelOkun and these websites with blogs and information on his books and http://parkinsonsecrets.com/ #Livingwith Parkinson’s #EndingPD #Parkinsonsecrets #LessonsFromTheBedside

He also serves as the Medical Advisor for the Parkinson’s Foundation.

To see more on Dr. Indu Subramanian she does live interviews of experts in Parkinson’s for the PMD Alliance.