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Murray.....Congratulations on your new grandchild and thank you for taking the time to write back on the balance therapy and Yes...it is ALL worthwhile and helpful...........Joan Hartman ----- Original Message ----- From: Murray Charters <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Sunday, May 14, 2000 12:41 AM Subject: Step Therapy - Was: Re: PD & 3am > On 12 May 2000, at 5:01, Joan Hartman wrote: > > >>While this proved false, I still > > >>continued the therapy for loss of balance for several years off > > >>and on... > > > > Murray....you wrote the above....what was your therapy for balance as that > > is a problem for me at times....Joan Hartman > > > > Hi Joan, > The first therapy I did was to counter sudden unexplained falls > which occurred without warning, usually on level surfaces, usually > when initiating stride forward from a standstill. These falls were due > to me moving forward but my feet staying glued to the spot. > > I fell unexpectedly a dozen times a month prior to therapy and was > thought to have MS. A visit to a neuro and an MRI indicated this was > not the case but left the falls an unexplained event. The MS therapy > seemed to help so I kept at it. > > First I "walked" in slow motion... Pick up 1 foot, hold, move it forward, hold, > put that foot down, hold, transfer weight to equal on both feet, hold, pick > up the rear foot, hold, stride through, etc. This therapy involved stepping > over lines painted on the concrete. Then I moved to what I call > "step therapy" > > The therapy was stepping onto an object and stepping off on the > other side. The first raised object was a 1" plywood square 12" x 12". > The idea was to get me to consciously pick up my feet, consciously > transfer my weight, and balance in between in a slow motion. The > progression was to bigger "objects" (2" plank; 3" plank; and combinations > up to a 7" step) Much like today's Reabok Steps but not quite as classy. > When I was stepping and balancing on a 7" step the therapy moved to > stairs. > > Then I took ballroom dance lessons. The theory here was that dance > lessons require balanced weight transfer, offer mild activity, and are > not boring. I have only fallen a few times in the ten years since I started > dance lessons. I also was confident enough to resume the field duties > of my job where I still work today. (The company had allowed me to > work in the office as a supervisor for 7 years while I was getting my act > together). > > I hope you find something worthwhile in this.... murray > > > [log in to unmask] > > View the Parkinson's Awareness Links at: > http://www.geocities.com/janet313/pienet/wwweb/index.html >