The Frustration of Freezing of Gait (FoG)
For many individuals living with Parkinson's Disease (PD), one of the most challenging symptoms is Freezing of Gait (FoG). This is the sudden, brief inability to move your feet forward, often described as the sensation of your "feet being glued to the floor."
FoG typically occurs during movement transitions: starting to walk, turning around, approaching a doorway, or navigating a tight space. It is a major contributor to falls and a reduction in movement confidence, factors that directly impact the quality of life goals set by our NDIS and DVA clients.
If you have ever wondered how to stop sticky feet in Parkinson’s, understanding the mechanism is the first step toward management. The core issue lies in the complex system of motor planning in the brain, which relies on dopamine. Specifically, FoG represents a disruption in the automatic, rhythmic processes of walking. When a person with PD approaches a challenging point, the brain may struggle to switch from one movement sequence to the next, resulting in a motor block.
At Healthstin, operating out of the excellent facilities here at BlueFit Hurstville, our Neuro-rehabilitation Clinic Hurstville are trained in managing this specific symptom. We use targeted, evidence informed exercise strategies to help you navigate these transitions and "unstick" your steps.
The EP Strategy: Bypassing the Motor Block
Since the brain's "automatic pilot" for walking is affected by PD, an effective strategy is to engage the brain's "conscious control" system. This is achieved through the use of external cues, a process known as cueing, and is a cornerstone of Parkinson’s Freezing of Gait Treatment Hurstville.
Our EPs structure programs around three primary types of cues to assist in retraining the initiation and rhythm of walking:
1. Visual Cues: Giving the Brain a Target
The PD brain often responds well to external visual information to initiate movement.
Floor Markers: We use brightly coloured tape or simple lines on the floor as visual targets. This encourages the brain to initiate a larger, more conscious step, which helps in breaking the FoG cycle.
Laser Devices: Some clients utilise mobility aids that project a temporary laser line onto the floor, providing a moving visual target to "step over."
2. Auditory Cues: Setting the Rhythm
Auditory cues provide an external, predictable rhythm to assist when internal timing fails.
Metronome Training: Walking to the beat of a metronome can help normalise step timing and length.
Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation (RAS): This involves using music or rhythmic commands. The motor system is naturally responsive to auditory rhythm, making RAS a supportive tool for improving stride length.
Verbal Cueing: Simple, deliberate commands from the EP, such as "BIG step" or "Heel toe," encourage the client to plan and execute a more purposeful movement.
3. Proprioceptive Cues: Shifting Weight and Focus
These cues involve using weight shifting or specific movements to generate sensory feedback and trigger the next step.
Weight Shifting: Before attempting to start a walk, the EP will coach the client on exaggerated side to side weight shifting. This helps generate the initial impulse needed to propel the body forward.
The 'L Shaped' Turn: To manage turns, a major trigger for FoG, we teach clients to execute a series of distinct steps in a deliberate arc rather than a pivot.
Beyond Cueing: Building the Physical Foundation
While cueing is essential for managing acute FoG, our Exercise Physiology for Parkinson’s Hurstville also focuses on the underlying physical factors that support stability.
Functional Strength Training: We target the postural extensors (muscles of the upper back and core) to improve trunk stability, making it easier to shift the centre of gravity effectively.
Balance and Agility: We incorporate exercises that challenge dynamic balance, such as walking around cones or stepping over obstacles, to prepare the body for transitions.
Cardiovascular Fitness: Maintaining aerobic fitness is crucial for overall health. Our EPs ensure cardiovascular work is performed safely, often utilising stationary cycling or walking with cueing.
Your Path to Movement: NDIS and DVA
At Healthstin, we deliver accredited therapeutic programs that align with the life goals and funding frameworks of our clients through NDIS Exercise Physiology Hurstville.
| Funding Support | Focus Area | Impact on Quality of LIfe |
|---|---|---|
| NDIS | Capacity Building | Working toward safer household navigation and fall prevention. |
| DVA | Functional Maintenance |
Supporting veteran independence through complex symptom management. |
NDIS Participants: Our services fall under Capacity Building, Improved Daily Living and are focused on addressing goals related to mobility, safety, and reducing the risk of falls. We ensure all cueing and home exercises are documented to reflect your progress toward your NDIS goals.
The Message from Hurstville: Take the Next Step
The 'feet glued to the floor' feeling is a significant symptom of Parkinson's Disease, but with the right strategies, it can be managed. By accessing the experience of the team at Healthstin in BlueFit Hurstville, you can learn the science of cueing and build the underlying strength needed to handle transitions safely.
Break Free from the "Glued to the Floor" Feeling
Ready to move with rhythm and confidence again?
Don't let Freezing of Gait limit your world. At Healthstin Hurstville, our Exercise Physiology team employs the "science of cueing", teaching your brain practical strategies designed to assist in managing motor blocks and support safer movement, whether you're at home or out in the community.
Ready to take the next step toward a stronger tomorrow? Book Your Initial Consultation Here or call Healthstin at 1300 090 931 to discuss your NDIS, HCP, DVA, or WC funding and schedule your functional capacity screening at our BlueFit Hurstville clinic today!
Ready to refer a client? Access our simple Online Referral Form to connect your client with accredited Parkinson's rehabilitation and gait training.
Disclaimer & Terms of Use
Healthstin provides evidence based neurological rehabilitation. Clinical progress, such as improved step initiation and increased confidence in navigating transitions, is individualised and depends on a variety of factors, including the specific condition, personal health goals, and adherence to the prescribed program.