Improving gait speed any tips?

[BJB61]

Any tips on improving gait speed. Three years in and finding I'm getting a little slower than others when walking. Hampered by toe/foot dystonia from time to time. Thank you .

[Stazina]

Ask your doctor to refer you to Physical Therapy to work on your balance and flexibility.

[BJB61 in reply to Stazina]

Thank you.

[Hikoi]

What meds are you on?

[BJB61 in reply to Hikoi]

Rasagaline 1mg and mirapex 1.05, both once a day.

[Motherfather]

hi malcomx well im 72 i have parkinsons and now have sciatica as well to deal wth but i may have slowed a bit but i never let it stopped me from exercising every day i can still touch my toes and different ways to do things with my legs and read about different ways to make the pain bearable i can still stand on one leg brush my teeth and have a sort of decent life.i live alone as well.so you just do your best thats all you can do malcomx.regards john.

[BJB61 in reply to Motherfather]

Cheers

[aspergerian]

See:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/307...

[Jenzo]

My slow gait was and is the worst and most noticeable symptom. Having a physical therapist stretch me, balance exercises with him and simply walk as much as you can for exercise helps. Lack of sleep and stress really affect my gait and limp terribly so rest is important and I also get anxiety about walking due to my gait. Try to learn to slow down and be okay with it. I was causing myself so much anxiety because I couldn't keep up - people actually need to slow down. Embrace the new pace 😙 Keep working at it and good luck with it. Stay positive, sounds cheesy but helps me. The therapy really does help.

[BJB61 in reply to Jenzo]

Thanks for the encouraging advice.

[Hikoi]

Levadopa (sinemet) will help. It seems your current meds are not sufficient now.

[BJB61 in reply to Hikoi]

Thank you.

[Astra7]

Try magnesium and also singing or listening to marching tunes as you walk. I find that very helpful when moving slowly.

[JohnPepper]

Hi Malcolm. I have been able to overcome most of my Pd symptoms and have been Pd-medication-free since 2002. Just look at my other posts on this site and look at my website - reverseparkinsons.net and contact me. I will do everything I can, to help you, at no cost to yourself.

[laglag]

Try rocksteadyboxing.org

[Bundoran]

Hello Malcomx, my recommendation is to use a metronome. Download one of the free ones to your phone. The way I use mine is to set it at 4 beats and pip it at beat 1 and 3. I then time my left arm back-swing (affected side) to these beats. You set the tempo of the metro to your current walking speed. It works very well for me and in fact I have increased my walking speed. However I'm only 2 years since dx and have no major probs apart from some stiffness and tremor. My biggest issue is that my golf has gone to hell, and that really sucks!

[BJB61 in reply to Bundoran]

Hi Bundoran. Thanks for the tip. Sorry to hear about your golf. Long may your symptoms be mild.

[Stevenmast in reply to Bundoran]

Now you have a good excuse for a bad golf game! LOL I like your metronome idea! Steven