9 Tips to Help You Get Over a Freezing Episode

SEPTEMBER 25, 2017   BY WENDY HENDERSON IN SOCIAL CLIPS.

It’s estimated that around a third of people living with Parkinson’s disease experience “freezing” from time to time. “Freezing” often happens when patients are walking and suddenly change direction or while raising the foot to go up a step, but it can also affect arm movements and even speech.  Freezing can lead to falls and contribute to loss of mobility.

While it may not be possible to avoid freezing incidents altogether, there are ways to quickly overcome the episodes according to the American Parkinson’s Disease Association.

Change direction

If you freeze while moving forward, try moving to the side or backward for a couple of steps.

Move differently

Point to the ceiling or touch your nose — just doing something different from the original movement should be enough to break the freezing.

Use a laser pointer

A laser pointer can be useful to help you quickly overcome freezing, pointing the laser in front of your foot and then standing on the laser spot will usually do the trick.

Step over something

You can either step over a crack on the sidewalk or visualize an item to physically step over.

Use a mini metronome

A mini, portable metronome is useful for providing a beat which can help you avoid freezing or get you started again.

Singing or humming

Singing or humming a song and then restarting in time with the beat can help break the freezing spell.

Counting

Counting out a rhythm or saying “one, two, three, go” can help overcome freezing.

Shift your weight

Shifting your weight from side to side can often help you take that first step.

March

Marching up and down on the spot for a few moments can help restart your momentum.

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