Freezing episodes

[simonasays]

Hi All, not much out there in terms of controling freezing episodes during ambulation. This is one of the main reasons for falls in later stages. Any of the external devices, laser beams, metronome etc have not worked, are cumbersome and not practical. Anyone aware of any research, advances, medication or supplements out there for combating freezing.

[GymBag]

I have a wheeled walker close by every time I am not in the house. I am always (so far) able to support myself , turn around and sit on it until I am able to better move. I find freezing usually happens when I am getting tired from walking or very active for a period. It is also the first indication that I have forgotten to take my meds.

I just sit on the walker and wait and wait for the natural Kickapoo Juice to build up and give me some relief.

I have found nothing else to break a freezing episode, except maybe determination. The most dangerous thing that can happen is somebody coming along who physically tries to help you.

I wait with interest for other replys.

[Jonathanadam]

I am a personal trainer who specializes in working with people with Parkinson's. One of my clients I've worked with a lot on helping him with freezing episodes. When I started training him he took walks once in a while. We started working together a couple days a week going through a full exercise program. Then he exercised on his own a few days a week. Then he joined a boxing for Parkinson's class 1-2 times a week and biked a couple days a week. Exercising more helped him greatly with his freezing episodes. When he had his freezing episodes I would have him march in place raising his knees up. There are more muscles in the thighs that get engaged when raising your knees up. This helps to break out of a freeze. If you are close to a wall, table, or something you can hold on and raise your knee up and down, do calf raises (raising your heels up on the balls of your feet), squat in place. Side walking is really effective too I have found. Try to step to the side from right to left and left to right. If there is a table you can hold onto that. My client had the dbs surgery, so one can adjust settings possibly. The exercise will put you in an on state more often. Medication plus exercise is a great combination to move better and freeze less. Hope some of these tips help.

[ConnieD in reply to Jonathanadam]

Hi Jonathan! How would someone find a personal trainer who specializes in PD? Also did your client find that DBS made a big difference in his overall symptoms? Thank you, Connie

[Jonathanadam in reply to ConnieD]

pwr4life.org

They certify people and have created a program for Parkinson’s and have a directory of people

[ConnieD in reply to Jonathanadam]

Thank you!

[Jonathanadam in reply to ConnieD]

You’re welcome. Hope you get the support you need.

[Jonathanadam in reply to ConnieD]

The dbs did help him. He got Parkinson’s very young at around 35 years old. I just read an article in Parkinson.org about this spinal stimulator they’ve been getting good results with freezing episodes

[JohnPepper]

Hi. Have you heard of me or read my book, "Reverse Parkinson's Disease"? If not the Google my name and I will help you overcome your freezing. I don't charge for what I do.

I was able to overcome most of my movement problems over 20 years ago. My Pd started in 1963, but was only diagnosed in 1994. I am not a crank!

[Jonathanadam in reply to JohnPepper]

I’ve worked with people with Parkinson’s for 13 years and have gotten great results. I’m glad you read a book. Some people need individualized attention to help them. It’s not nice to insult people. I’ve worked with a lot of people with a very advanced stage Parkinson’s. I hope you keep your comments to yourself. It’s very rude and mean.

[Jonathanadam in reply to JohnPepper]

I had two clients I worked with a lot who froze often and I help them get out of there freezing Episodes very well. I tried my best to give some tips on how to do it in written form. To call me a crank is very mean and judge mental without a basis of knowing my background. Most of my clients have Parkinson’s and I’ve helped them decrease their rigidity, managed their symptoms, decrease and Manage their Freezing Episodes, and help them to get their bodies turn into an on state more often. I’ve been training people for 28 years and if specialize in working with seniors and Parkinson’s for 13. Be careful what you post any assumptions you make about people and what they know. I get my clients from the head neurologist at St. John’s. People who work with me get very good results. I’m glad you wrote a book and I hope it’s helping people. We’re in this together to help people if you’re at the place of trying to educate people and help them manage her condition which is very challenging to deal with. I responded to just try to help or not thinking of getting a person as a client. I was asked where I was located, so I responded. I’m very busy training 30 sessions a week. I’m not using this platform to promote myself or make money. I was just trying to respond to somebody’s concern in the best way I could without knowing them. I signed up recently so I can see white people are expressing about their Parkinson’s so I better understand peoples concerns and feelings.

[JohnPepper in reply to Jonathanadam]

Hi. I did not call you a crank. I merely said, "I am not a crank", because some of my detractors think I am a crank. If they only knew how many people I have helped, they might learn something.You keep on doing what you do and help as many people as you can.

Good luck!

[Jonathanadam in reply to JohnPepper]

Thanks for clarifying. I misunderstood. Have a great weekend

[Jonathanadam]

I’ve worked with people with Parkinson’s for 13 years and have gotten great results. I’m glad you read a book. Some people need individualized attention to help them. It’s not nice to insult people. I’ve worked with a lot of people with a very advanced stage Parkinson’s. I hope you keep your comments to yourself. It’s very rude and mean.

[Astra7]

Did you find anything helpful? I have started freezing during tennis. I fall every time and can basically not play anymore. Can’t run for the ball. Devastating.

[simonasays in reply to Astra7]

I wish I could help for something like tennis. We did find something that helped for walking, he holds a laser pointer with an adapter to make the laser a line

[Spencer53]

I've discovered the PoNS technique for my HWP, there have been freezing episodes but as we progress and HWP gait improves, I finding ways to help him during a freezing time - ie. get feet on the floor, wait, "kick" your leg forward and it propels his foot forward. Repetition helping him. Check on YouTube Dr. David Suzuki - Dr. Norman Doidge - The Brain's Way of Healing. It's about 45 minutes, includes John Pepper who is part of this website.