When someone has Parkinson’s and they “freeze”, this means that they have a brief episode where they are unable to make a step, when walking, or demonstrate very short steps (Nutt, 2011).
How can someone move once they freeze?
- Hum or sing a song while walking to the rhythm
- Try taking a step back or to the side before you try step forward
- Weight shift side to side before trying to walk forward
- Walk to the beat of a metronome
- March in place, with your knees high, prior to stepping forward
- Visualize a horizontal line in front of you and imagine walking over that line
- Ask a friend or family member with you for a little nudge forward
- Dance on your spare time! This may help with your balance and fluidity
- Try swing your arms first, then try moving your feet
(Downward, 2017)
Talk to our physical and occupational therapists at Home Therapy Solutions if you, or your loved one, has Parkinsons. We can help with exercises, education, and tips on how to help you, or your loved one, keep moving. 218-230-2171
Resources:
- Nutt, J. G., Bloem, B. R., Giladi, N., Hallett, M., Horak, F. B., and, Nieuwboer, A. (2011). Freezing of gait: Moving forward on a mysterious clinical phenomenon. The Lancet Neurology, 10(8), 734–744.
- Emily Downward.“Overcoming Freeze.” Parkinsons Disease.Net, https://parkinsonsdisease.net/living-with-pd/overcoming-freeze. Accessed 22 Feb. 2022.
