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Focus on Freezing of Gait

1. All about Freezing of Gait

About 38 percent of people living with PD fall each year. PD-related falls occur mostly when turning or changing directions and are often related to a freezing episode. Two excellent videos are: http://www.profsimonlewis.com/what-is-freezing-of-gait/ 3 mins

http://www.profsimonlewis.com/freezing-of-gait-research/ 6 mins

2. What situations can trigger a freezing episode?

Freezing episodes can happen at any time but tend to happen more often when:

  • you are initiating or starting to move (i.e. standing to walking).

  • you are walking through doorways,

  • turning a corner,

  • turning around,

  • or stepping from one type of surface to another type (i.e. tile to carpet).

  • Multi-tasking,

  • stopping,

  • or slowing down your pace while walking.

  • You may also have more freezing during stressful situations or when surrounded by crowds.

​3. 'First Steps' to try and avoid freezing

  1. Make sure the Parkinson's itself is well treated as gait freezing is more common during 'off' time.

  2. Have an OT, knowledgeable about Parkinson's disease and freezing, check out your home for trigger situations and fall hazards.

  3. Train with a Parkinson’s Physical Therapist. NOTE - traditional physical therapy does not help gait freezing

  4. Wear the Right Shoes

  5. Walk with Intention in situations that you think you may freeze

  6. Turn by walking half a circle or square instead of by a pivot turn.

4. Tricks to help you get over a freezing episode

  1. Stop - don't fight it.

  2. Shake it off - Take a deep breath and relax any areas you’re holding tension, usually in your hands, neck, or jaw. This helps decrease your anxiety and frees up your brain to focus on the task at hand, which is walking safely from point A to point B.

  3. Shift your weight from side to side before attempting a step can help initiate movement.

  4. March in place, lifting your knees as high as you can, before stepping forward.

  5. Humming, singing or counting.

  6. Change direction. If you can’t move straight ahead, try stepping to the side first, or take a step back, before going forward.

  7. Move another part of your body. If your legs won’t move, swing your arms first and then try moving your legs again.

  8. Imagine a line in front of you and step over it.

  9. For spots in the house that are consistently tricky, like a doorway, you can use tape on the floor to create a line to step over.

  10. Use a laser pointer. Shine the laser in front of you and step on or over it.

  11. Ask for help. Ask a friend or family member for a gentle nudge. Some have found a light tap beside the knee by a friend can help them get moving again.

​5. How can a friend or family member help during this time?

  1. Remain calm. Do not rush or push the person during a freezing episode.

  2. Wait patiently for several seconds to see if the episode passes.

  3. If the person is unable to move without assistance, try placing your foot perpendicular to the person and ask them to step over it.

  4. Help rock the person from side to side.

  5. Encourage the person to try marching or counting

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Listen here to a great podcast about Freezing.

​​From Parkinsons Life https://parkinsonslife.eu/

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