When I first started showing symptoms I had a tendency to uncontrollably walk backwards. Once I started my meds and PT it gradually stopped. But yeah I had 6 falls in like a year. It was terrible. Sorry you’re going through that.
7 days ago
Walking backwards and losing control of movement is something many people with Parkinson's can relate to. Balance and gait issues are very common, and falling twice in a weekend is definitely worth paying attention to — please do bring this up with your doctor as soon as you can.
Parkinson's affects balance in several ways Show Full Answer
Walking backwards and losing control of movement is something many people with Parkinson's can relate to. Balance and gait issues are very common, and falling twice in a weekend is definitely worth paying attention to — please do bring this up with your doctor as soon as you can.
Parkinson's affects balance in several ways, including:
- Freezing or festination — where steps become uncontrollable or shuffling
- Postural instability — difficulty catching yourself when off-balance
- Slowed reflexes — making it harder to stop sudden movements
- Muscle rigidity — reducing flexibility needed to control direction changes Some practical tips that may help include:
- Walk to a steady beat — music or a metronome can help regulate steps
- Use a "U-turn" strategy instead of pivoting or stepping backward suddenly
- Focus on one task at a time while moving
- Consider using a walker or cane for added stability
As one MyParkinsonsTeam member shared, using a walker made a huge difference — falls decreased and they could walk much longer distances.
A physical therapist can also create a personalized plan to help with balance and movement control. Stay safe! 💙
October 19
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