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Make Your Move
Ethan Henderson , diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson ’ s in 2016 , enjoys running and hiking in the mountains near his home in Arizona .
Strategies
+ Befriend the freeze . Don ’ t “ fight ” a freezing spell . Stop . Take a deep breath . Try to relax . Do a mental practice run of your next movement — picture stepping over a threshold , for example — before attempting it again .
+ Keep tricks up your sleeve . There are many different “ cues ” that can help you move through freezing . Your physical or occupational therapist can teach you a few options and help you practice .
+ Don ’ t follow the crowd . Avoiding big groups of people or small spaces isn ’ t , of course , always possible . But try to plan workouts for times and places with fewer people and more room . At the gym , for example , aim for late morning or early afternoon , when it ’ s typically less busy and classes less full . Look for locations that are generally more spacious , such as parks or other outdoor areas .
+ Walk to a different beat . Practice walking ( this can be your aerobic exercise !) to the beat of a metronome or specific music . This syncs brain and walking rhythm for a smoother gait and less freezing . A music and / or physical therapist can help you find music with the right beat or teach you to use a metronome app .
Balance changes or falling : “ I feel unsteady and I ’ m afraid I ’ ll fall .”
The older we get , the harder it may be to keep balance . That ’ s why balance and strength exercises are so important as we age . People with Parkinson ’ s , of any age , also may have trouble with balance , especially as disease progresses . Other symptoms of PD , such as slow , small movement , fatigue and even vision changes , also can impact balance . This makes it harder to catch yourself when caught off-balance , as with tripping , stumbling or stepping wrong off a curb .
If you have new or worsening walking or balance changes or falls , it ’ s critical to see a physical and / or occupational therapist . These experts can help challenge and improve balance , prevent falls or limit injury with falls . They also can evaluate whether a cane , walker or other support may be helpful ; match you with the right device ; and teach you to use it during everyday activities and exercise .